A Corpus-based Comparative Study Of Signalling Nouns In Argumentative Writings Of Chinese And English Native College Students

A signalling noun is potentially any abstract noun,which has important cohesive functions in establishing links within and across clauses.It is one of the most frequently used nouns in argumentative writings,and the acquisition of SNs is both important and difficult for EFL learners.Based on the corpora of CLEC and LOCNESS,the present study adopts a quantitative method as well as qualitative analysis and makes a comparative analysis on argumentative writings between Chinese English majors and English native speakers.This study intends to reveal the distinctions in their use of SNs between two groups of writers in terms of frequencies,discourse functions and discourse patterns.The main results are as follows:With regard to the frequencies of SNs,English native speakers significantly use more SNs than Chinese English majors.Among these 21 overlapping frequently used SNs,there exist six SNs used more frequently by Chinese English learners than English native speakers.Next this study focuses on the six most common SNs in English native corpus.As regards the discourse functions of these SNs,in in-clause counts,cataphoric relations outnumber anaphoric ones.Additionally,Chinese English learners use SNs somewhat more frequently in anaphoric cases than English native students,but they significantly underuse in cataphoric cases.In across-clause counts,anaphoric relations are more frequent than cataphoric ones,our data shows English native students use more SNs in across-clause anaphoric and cataphoric relations than Chinese English learners.In regard to discourse patterns of SNs,concerning in-clause patterns,the pattern th-SN is the most commonly used one in the two corpora.Concerning in-clause patterns,the SN + to + infinitival specifics pattern is the most frequently used one.The significance of this study primarily resides in three aspects.Firstly,SNs in argumentative writings between Chinese English majors and English native speakers are compared and analyzed,which has broadened the research of SNs.Secondly,this study can help Chinese English learners to select and apply SNs more appropriately in their argumentative writings.Finally,the present study gives good enlightenment and practical implications for English teaching.