A Study On Iconicity And Its Implications In English Teaching

The relation between signifier and signified of linguistic signs is a question that has been argued for many centuries. One of the famous linguists Ferdinand de Saussure proposes the arbitrariness by stating that the relation between form and meaning is arbitrary. Since1960s, more and more linguists begin to question the view of arbitrariness. The American philosopher and semiologist Sanders Pierce first applies icon and since then the theory of iconicity has been developed. Iconicity reveals that there are some inner relationship between signifier and signified or between form and meaning. The emergence of it not only provides a new perspective for linguistic research, but also has great significance in language teaching.Through the research, this paper intends to do a systematic analysis of iconicity and its implications in English teaching, especially in vocabulary and grammar teaching. The problems need to be solved are:What is iconicity? In what aspects is iconicity shown in English? What implications can be got from iconicity in English teaching?This paper mainly uses the methodology of systematic theory-construction and literature research to analyze iconicity on different levels:phonological, morphological, semantic, etymological and syntactic levels. Besides, after the theory analysis, this paper illustrates the implications of iconicity in English teaching, especially in vocabulary and grammar teaching for vocabulary and grammar take important parts in English teaching. If the language is a building, then vocabulary is like brick while grammar is the cement to stick bricks together. Through researching, this paper finds that iconicity exists extensively in English and it can be applied to English teaching. The implications of iconicity in vocabulary teaching are:the application of iconicity is good for students to guess meanings of words in context, cultivate some special vocabulary memory strategies and improve their learning motivations. Besides, teacher should teach vocabulary by following the rule from the unmarked to the marked and enhance cultural infiltration. As for its implications in grammar teaching, this paper finds that iconicity could be used to explain many grammatical rules and issues. In addition to, through this way of explanation, it is helpful in strengthening students understanding, stimulating their interests in grammar learning as well as inspiring their thinking.