Categorization-based Definition Of Synonyms In English Learners' Dictionaries: A Semantic Prosody Approach

Synonyms are similar in meaning and have always been a challenge for learners of English as a foreign language(EFL).As important reference tools,mainstream EnglishChinese learner's dictionaries(ELDs)fail to provide sufficient and effective guidance on defining synonyms,and burden users with indistinguishable definitions.Being the core of dictionaries,the definition should be more accurate,concise and systematic.Therefore,the present study proposes an optimized definition patterns for synonyms in learner's dictionaries under the guidance of categorization theory,with semantic prosody as a distinguishing feature.The optimized definitions are expected to make up for deficiencies in existing ELDs and assist learners in vocabulary learning.First,a contrastive corpus-based study is conducted to identify the differences in using semantic prosodies between native speakers and Chinese EFL learners,and possible causes have been discussed.Then objects of study,i.e.categories of synonyms which can be distinguished by semantic prosody,are selected and examined in Corpus of Contemporary American English(COCA)to find out their semantic prosodic features.Further,corresponding definitions of selected synonyms are located in the current big five learner's dictionaries.We summarize problems in existence.Finally,to solve above problems,we give improved version of categorization-based definitions based on semantic prosodies and typical examples.Major findings of the present thesis include: 1)Chinese EFL learners have insufficient knowledge of semantic prosody,and there are quite a few collocations which are unlikely to occur in native English output,which may result from negative transfer of Chinese,overgeneralization and insufficient language input.2)Through large amount of data processing,synonyms which can be differentiated by semantic prosody are collected.Analysis reveals that semantic prosodies play an important role in synonym differentiation.3)Definitions on synonyms in the big five ELDs are found to be unsystematic and unorganized without saliently presenting distinctive features.Also,definitions in ELDs are short of corresponding prosodic information.4)To solve problems revealed in definitions,we propose definitions of synonyms through a semantic prosody approach,integrating prosodic information into definitions as distinctive features among synonyms.New definitions are expected to help Chinese EFL learners differentiate synonyms,and make definitions in ELDs more concise and systematic.