A Cognitive Approach To Typological Transferability

This dissertation attempts to apply the cognitive markedness theory in the interpretation of the transfer orders of Chinese typological feature"topic-prominence"(TP) in Chinese-English Interlanguage (CEI) via a tentative empirical experiment. It is composed of six chapters.Chapter 1 states briefly the research questions in its due domains and research purposes and significance. Chapter 2 unfolds in the form of a literature review, where the detailed illustration and elaboration of the focus of this study on topological transfer are presented with its origins, developments and its research prospects. Particularly, the study on the typological transfer of topic-prominence are further analyzed in terms of explicit and implicit transfers under the inspiration of Cai Jinting (蔡1998a, 1998b).Chapter 3 dwells on the cognitive theories relevant to transfer in Interlanguage studies. In terms of transferability, quite a few scholars have made use of markedness to explore the reasons behind the phenomenon, and at the same time in typological studies markedness is an important approach. From the perspective of cognitive markedness the possible deep-rooted reasons underlying TP transfer are supposed to come to light. With considerations of markedness theory in relation to typology and transfer, a theoretical framework is established with 5 discrete hypotheses based on the modifications of Kellerman's cognitive markedness assumptions (Kellerman 1977, 1979, 1983, 1986).Chapter 4 offers an objective account of the experiment designs, implementation and data analysis. Questionnaire and elicited writing are the experimental instruments, involving 127 participants, representing three proficiency levels. Out of the total data base, a statistical corpus was established on 90 eligible cases for the convenience of data computation which was carried out by means of SPSS and EXCEL softwares for frequency accounts, correlation analysis, One-Way ANOVA tests, Chi-Square tests and diagram illustrations.Chapter 5 elaborates on each hypothesis with detailed statistical figures and interprets the findings and results within the set theoretical framework with the purpose to clear away the mysteries around TP transfer phenomenon and to work out practical...