Basic Cognitive Experiences And Definition Proper Of The English Learner's Dictionary

The application of currently-prevailing linguistic theories, especially the theories of cognitive linguistics, to dictionary compilation is a natural scene in linguistic fields and is in line with the principle of being "user-friendly" in the meantime. Cognitive characteristics can be found in current English learner's dictionaries (ELD).Definition is the kernel of a dictionary. It can be asserted that the whole dictionary should spread around the definition system. This thesis reconstructs the structure of the ELD centered around the definition system."Basic level category" and "basic image schema", the two basic cognitive experiences, are both at a basic position in human cognitive system. This thesis endeavours to analyze the definition proper of English learner's dictionaries on the basis of the knowledge of "basic level category" and "basic image schema" in order to find out the problems in the practice of dictionary compilation caused by not taking cognitive experience into consideration and to make English learner's dictionaries more user-friendly.This thesis falls into seven chapters:Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to the history of the ELD, mainly presenting the generations that the ELD has gone through. Then literature review is cited to prove the feasibility of combining ELD compilation with theories of cognitive linguistics.Chapter 2 gives an introduction to the two basic cognitive experiences: "basic level category" and "basic image schema". In this section, the theoretic framework of cognitive linguistics and the relationship between the two basic cognitive experiences is illustrated.Chapter 3 initiates a dictionary structure centered on definition system, that is 1) access of definition, 2) instruction, supplement and rearrangement of definition, 3) definition proper, and 4) environment of definition. Then definition proper is elucidated from a cognitive angle: defining vocabulary, sense division and arrangement and means of defining which includes paraphrase, true definition, functional definition and pictorial illustration.Chapter 4 is a case study on the definition proper of LDOCE₃ from the perspective of basic cognitive experiences, which is employed as the reference point for a diachronic analysis of the definition proper of LDOCE series from the perspective of basic cognitive experiences in Chapter 5 and a synchronic analysis of the definition proper of OALD₆, LDOCE₄, COBUILD (2006) and MACMILLAN from the perspective of basic cognitive experiences in Chapter 6.Chapter 7 reaches a conclusion on the analysis: 1) the advantages and disadvantages of ELDs from the perspective of basic cognitive experiences, 2) limitations of this study, and 3) suggestions for further study.