The Construction Of The Prototype Definition Model For English-chinese Learner’s Dictionaries

Definition lies in the core of dictionary compilation and research, which has become the focus of dictionaries’ planning and practice. English-Chinese learner’s dictionaries(ECLDs) have become important members of dictionary family, but the definition theory and empirical study about them are far from satisfactory. Diverse definition theories and limited explanation power prevail in the past lexicographic definition research. The perspective of cognitive linguistic prototype has yielded few achievements. The previous studies mainly focus on making a definition and explaining the mechanism of polysemies’ meaning derivational process. Prototype theory does not agree with dictionary definition research, it was seldom exerted to make a thorough explanation and construction for the dictionaries’ definition. This dissertation attempts to make relevant exploration in this aspect and tries to reconstruct the definition system of ECLDs in a consistent way via the prototype theory, it will provide guidelines and instructions for the future ECLDs’ compiling.The definitions of relevant conceptions have become the premise and foundation of the research. Firstly, this dissertation, based on the evaluation and analysis of previous studies, sets the scope of definition that doesn’t mean the same thing as equivalence. Definition is a complex system and synthesis with multi-dimensions and levels, all the information as covering in a dictionary belongs to the scope of definition. Besides, the boundary of the prototype theory will be redefined, different from its narrow explanation. The dissertation holds a broad view about definition. In its narrow sense, the prototype theory focuses on the membership of a category. But in its broad sense, it can deal with not only the membership of a category, but also the issue of prototypicality(basic level) in the system of categories. Therefore, it exhibits its state as a comprehensive theory framework. The prototype theory of cognitive linguistics gains the potential to decompose and formulate the meaning of words and phrases in multi-dimensions and levels. The systematic structure and format of definition and prototype theory makes them highly co-related in nature.The research process of the dissertation is as follows: constructing a prototype theory as the base, combining the empirical study and investigating Chinese English learner’s status quo to set up PDM. Firstly, the prototype theory is constructed on the basis of related researches. Besides, the two-dimensions(horizontal and vertical) structure prototype theory which was created by Rosch, Taylor, Ungere & Schmid, a third dimension was added to the theory framework to form a multi-dimension, systematic theory, which can be named as the prototype theory in the broad sense. Applied the theory to the dictionary definition, that is the framework of the prototype definition model. The theoretical frame of the PDM can be classified into macroscopic and microscopic levels. In its macro level, the PDM is a system with interior and exterior distinctions as well as vertical and horizontal ones. Therefore, the definition of words and phrases is a multidimensional correlated prototype category system. In every dimension, prototype members and non-prototype members are differentiated. The construction of PDM in the macro level touches upon the integrity of ECLDs’ definition model. The model distinguishes itself from the trend of the traditional definition studies, which only focus on the semantic features of the horizontal level. As a new definition model, the PDM also examines meaning from vertical level(semantics clusters) and exterior level(the level in which words and phrases communicate with its semantic network) of a lemma, which reveals its hierarchy and dynamics characteristics. In the micro level, the dissertation decomposes each definition module via prototype theory, explains the differences and connections of features and samples between prototypes and non-prototypes. Prototype theory can not only guide us to make definitions and explain polysemies’ derivational mechanism in ECLDs, it can also exert its force on the construction and explanation for other definition modules.The construction of the PDM cannot be accomplished at a stroke. From a macroscopic view, the framework of PDM just plays the role of guidance in providing the basic principles and the possible definition modules. As for the inner arrangement of every module(mainly referring to the modules in horizontal level), it is necessary for the PDM to get some insight and experience from the current ECLDs’ definition practice. Simultaneously, the construction of the PDM requires relevant contrastive samples as its starting point. In the meantime, the construction of the PDM cannot be separated from the empirical study of Chinese user’s look-up state. These factors will become important variables in the construction of the PDM.From the survey of main ECLDs’ definition practice, it is common for the ECLDs to assimilate the achievements of linguistic research positively and made a series of changes, some of which are quite commendable, in recent years. But the definition is barely satisfactory in its scope and profundity for lack of the guidance and support of a consistent systematic theory. The defects lie in the absence of some definition modules, explanation superficially and imbalance in definition. Furthermore, the construction of different definition modules with different theories will destroy the integrity of lexicographic definition. The wholeness of definition will be damaged and it’s hard to form a complete and coherent definition entity. And it will harm the learner’s comprehensive cognition for the lexicography definition. Consequently it is harmful for the learner’s acquisition.Investigating Chinese English learner’s status quo is the intrinsic requirement of the PDM. Prototype members and non-prototype ones, prototype and non- prototype figures, basic level, etc. are put forward and made discriminated in order to emphasize that not only crucial points be emphasized but the importance of the user’s real situation be attached. The PDM stresses that the process of knowledge acquirement is from the known to the unknown. From the questionnaire and conversation with the advanced English learners, we find that the definition methods which coordinate the requirements of the PDM are welcomed. At the same time, there is a paradox that the learners heavily rely on the ECLDs, but they can only make limited use of the dictionary information. As for the solution to this phenomenon, on one hand we should change the mode of ECLDs’ definition, strengthen its systematic feature, and provide a user-friendly cognitive context. The new model should satisfy the requirement of decoding and enhance ECLDs’ function of encoding. On the other hand, the results show that it is urgent to offer a lexicographic course in universities.Finally, it comes to the practical construction of the PDM. Synthesizing the discoveries of the empirical study of the main ECLDs’ definition practice and Chinese user’s look-up state, the construction of the PDM can be classified into macroscopic and microscopic dimensions under the guidance of the PDM’s framework. From its macro diversion, the PDM can be divided into six definition modules. They are modules of morphological meaning, conceptual meaning, grammatical meaning, pragmatic meaning in horizontal level; the semantic field meaning in vertical side and the event domain meaning in its exterior structure frame. From the micro level, it contains the reconstruction of the definition modules based on the PDM. The two levels forge a consistent and multi-angle definition model. The cognitive linguistic prototype theory becomes the main clue for ECLDs’ definition. In these modules, conceptual meaning module resides in the basic level as the prototype member, so it is situated in the key place in the reconstruction of the PDM. In the process of reconstruction, the encoding function of ECLDs is specially emphasized, such as proposition of the formalization frame and content frame.The dissertation offers the following new findings. The PDM reveals its characteristics of integrity and framework and is highly in accordance with the definition system of ECLDs. The PDM shows the interpretative and constructive features on the base of the prototype theory directly. At the same time, the PDM of ECLDs is quite beneficial for the construction of an active cognitive context for the learners, so it can satisfy English learner’s requirements. The research has contributed a lot in the following ways: constructing a systematic prototype theory framework; interpreting the dictionary definition in a consistent method; making a critic research about the family resemblance principle; surveying the definition model of specific concept plus differentia from the view of the prototype definition; constructing a user-friendly cognitive context; expanding the study field of definition; constructing the semantic field meaning module and event domain meaning module. In the process of reconstructing the PDM of ECLDs, many creative ideas and proposals are made. For example, the labeling of a lemma’s part of speech is rightly the highest level of its specific concept. Specific concept and differentia have many coordination modes, not the “sufficient and necessary condition” claim of the classic category theory. The derived mechanism of polysemies should be analyzed from the basic level(or take the lemma as a whole), investigate the semantic change from the framework of “entity”, etc.In short, the PDM of ECLD has created a new mode to explain and reconstruct the dictionary definition with a single theory. It fully accords with the cognitive linguistics’ claim which advocates explaining every level of a language from a unified cognitive model. The study distinguishes itself from the traditional static, separated way of dictionary definition research. It can remedy many drawbacks and defects of the traditional lexicographic study. The research decomposes the prototype theory and integrates related theories; therefore it has important theoretical meaning. At the same time, the dissertation has set up a bridge between cognitive linguistics and ECLDs’ definition study. It provides a new perspective and expands the horizon for the learner’s lexicographic study. The PDM will be proved instructive for the research and compiling of the future ECLDs.