Optimizing Connector Entries In ECLDs Based On Chinese EFL Learner's Errors

This thesis is an attempt to optimize the representation of connector entries in ECLDs based on Chinese EFL learner's connector errors.As a kind of function words,connectors are of vital importance to the logic and cohesion of the English language.There are potential difficulties for language learners in using connectors,whereas research on connector errors in the English writings of Chinese EFL learners is scarce.As useful tools to guide learners' study,ECLDs are supposed to solve the problems Chinese EFL learners have on connectors.First,the present study investigates the problematic performance of Chinese EFL learners on English connectors based on the error analysis of CLEC.Chinese EFL learners' connector errors are classified into 6 types which fall into morphological,syntactic and semantic categories.4 out of 6 types of errors are syntactic ones,indicating that the most confusing part of connectors for Chinese EFL learners is their syntactic behaviors.Then,the representation of connectors in mainstream ELDs and ECLDs is evaluated,during which the errors classified before are taken into account.The morphological and semantic representations of connectors can basically meet the needs of Chinese EFL learners,but there are some deficiencies in the syntactic representation of connectors.Last but not least,based on MMDT,specific strategies are proposed to optimize the representation of connectors in ECLDs,which are 1)making discrimination between the usages of linking adverbs and conjunctions;2)providing error warning notes to avoid dual conjunctions in a sentence;3)demonstrating syntactic patterns in definitions and examples and 4)building cross references between simple connectors and related complex/correlative ones.