On The Treatment Of Controversial Vocabulary In The OALD Series

Controversial vocabulary,which can arouse others' uncomfortable feelings,exist in many semantic fields,such as gender,health condition,race and nationality,physical appearance and so on.In recent decades,the growing demand of mutual respect in daily communication has required the politically correct language to diminish the possible offense conveyed by controversial vocabulary.Chinese EFL learners,however,find it perplexing,sometimes very difficult to master such words,especially the exact connotative meanings of those socially controversial words.Therefore,it is assumed that advanced English dictionaries as well as English-Chinese dictionaries should take the responsibility to remind dictionary users of the connotative meanings in order to meet their actual needs.This thesis aims to study if the English learner's dictionaries respond to the requirements of politically correct language in social life.To be specific,the status quo of the inclusion and treatment of controversial vocabulary in the OALD series are explored.In addition,some English-Chinese learner's dictionaries are also studied for a detailed comparison and the future improvement.For theoretical consideration,this thesis emphasizes a systematic summarization of current situation of including and describing of controversial vocabulary.Practically,eight editions of Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary are applied for dictionary text survey in order to have a historical view.Out of practical and feasible consideration,54 controversial words in three semantic fields,namely racial groups,homosexuality and women are selected for a qualitative study and quantitative study.The main concerns are whether these words are included in the English learner's dictionaries and how they are particularly treated in regard of definitions,usage labels and usage notes.The results of text survey show that growing importance is attached to controversial vocabulary due to the increasing listed number of 54 words in the dictionaries.The quantitative study also indicates that the number of words particularly treated with cautionary labels and additional explanation in definitions is growing.The closer examination of treatment shows that cautionary labels are preferred.The comparison of similarities and differences of 54 controversial vocabulary in the OALD series with English-Chinese learner's dictionary(NAECD)shows that NAECD has a comprehensive covery of these words,but the representation of these words still leaves room for improvement.In light of the research findings in the OALD series,two suggestions are put forward in E-C learner's dictionary:1)E-C learner dictionaries can provide detailed explanation of the meanings of different labels for the sake of user-friendliness;2)it is better for the E-C learner's dictionaries to demonstrate language change.Limitations still exist in terms of the sources of sample material,numbers of sample words and standards of controversy in different semantic fields.