On The Definition Of Confucian Words In Foreigner-Oriented Chinese-english Dictionaries Based On The Theory Of Dictionary As Communication

Confucianism is the essence of Chinese traditional culture and one of the most valuable wealth of mankind in the Chinese nation. The study of Confucian words can help to transmit the Confucianism. However, there are many problems on the definition of Confucian words in the foreigner-oriented Chinese-English dictionaries. As an important tool for foreign language learners to learn Confucian words, the foreigner-oriented Chinese-English dictionaries can not meet both the receptive and productive needs of the foreign language learners.This thesis has chosen 152 Confucian words from three foreigner-oriented Chinese-English dictionaries by the method of “equidistant sampling” and systematically analyzed the problems on the definition of Confucian words in the present foreigner-oriented Chinese-English dictionaries and proposed some suggestions based on the Theory of Dictionary as Communication.Through the comparative analysis, the study has found the following problems on the definition of Confucian words in the mainstream foreigner-oriented Chinese-English dictionaries:(1) components comprising the definition are inadequate;(2) quality of definition representation needs to be improved;(3) improper language of general direction. In terms of these deficiencies, the study has put forward the following suggestions based on the Theory of Dictionary as Communication:(1) provide traditional forms for the Confucian words;(2) provide adequate sense division and POS tagging;(3) create translational equivalents for the Confucian words;(4) add glosses to the equivalents;(5) provide cultural background information for the Confucian words with culture-specific connotations or allusions;(6) provide detailed usage labels;(7) provide typical and practical examples;(8) set up pictorial illustrations and cross-reference;(9) use English as the language of general direction.