A Corpus-based Study Of The Discourse Markers Application In The Chinese Writing Of Overseas Students

As progresses have been made in teaching Chinese as a foreign language,second language learners' requirements for Chinese learning are no longer confined to speaking,and higher requirements for writing have been put forward.Discourse marker is an ubiquitous communication tool in routine speaking and writing.At present,the targeted teaching and guidance of the discourse markers in writing have been clearly neglected in the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language,which fails to meet the teaching needs and restrict the progress of students' writing skills.Facing this problem,the situation of overseas students using discourse markers in writing are investigated by quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis,with the discourse markers in compositions from Sun-Yat Sen University Interlanguage Corpus as the study object.The use of discourse markers and the reasons for incorrect use are specifically analyzed based on the collection of data.In addition,related teaching situations are learnt from teachers by means of interview.Finally,teaching suggestions of reference value in the teaching of discourse markers in Chinese as a foreign language are proposed through data analysis and summary of interview.In this study,functions and types of discourse markers used by overseas students are found to be basically complete;overseas students tend to use a certain discourse marker or certain discourse markers in each type when using all types of discourse markers,showing a particular preference,while other discourse markers of the same function are seldom or never used;there are substantial differences between the highest and lowest utilization rate of discourse markers within some types;the incorrect use is mainly caused by negative transfer of mother tongue,excessive generalization,incomprehensive textbooks,as well as neglect in classroom teaching.According to the above findings,suggestions with respect to the teaching of discourse markers in Chinese as a foreign language are put forward in this study.(1)In terms of textbooks,functional using system of discourse markers should be included in textbooks on purpose of facilitating teaching and learning;(2)It is suggested that teachers properly explain the discourse markers in the class to make the teaching as scientific and rational as possible.(3)It is advised to strengthen the study related to the teaching of discourse markers in Chinese as a foreign language.