Metaphorical Meaning Representation Of Abstract Nouns In Online English Learner’s Dictionaries

Abstract nouns are a kind of most frequently used words in the English language.A sound mastery of English abstract nouns has been generally recognized as an essential prerequisite for large vocabulary and high-level English proficiency.However,the acquisition of abstract nouns remains a big challenge for Chinese English as Foreign Language(EFL)learners because of their polysemous feature and complex sense relations.In addition,most previous research concerning abstract nouns is confined to traditional fields like lexical grammar or translation,yet they have been indifferent to the key issues such as “ways to optimize the meaning representation of abstract nouns”.Studies in cognitive linguistics provide inspirations for the meaning representation of abstract nouns.It is found that the meaning extension of abstract nouns is motivated and metaphor is one of the major motivations.Therefore,the present study endeavors to help Chinese EFL learners acquire abstract nouns better by optimizing the representation of abstract nouns’ metaphorical meaning in online English Learner’s Dictionaries(ELDs).In order to achieve this goal,a BNC-based corpus analysis is carried out to reveal the underlying cognitive motivations for the meaning extension of abstract nouns.Then,the deficiencies of five mainstream online ELDs in the representation of abstract nouns’ metaphorical meaning are investigated according to Chinese EFL learners’ needs and errors in the use of abstract nouns.Finally,taking into consideration the cognitive motivations of abstract nouns and the needs of Chinese EFL learners,a multimodal representation model for the metaphorical meaning of abstract nouns in online ELDs is constructed in the context of multimodal lexicography and multimodal metaphor.The core of the optimized model is the application of multimodality and multimodal metaphor in the lexicographical texts of online ELDs.The necessity and feasibility of multimodal representation of metaphorical meanings are based on three considerations:(1)Contemporary lexicography moves towards a multimodal direction.However,the existing online ELDs confuse the concepts of multimedia and multimodality.As a result,they fail to realize the convergence of multimodalities and do not embody the features of multimodal lexicographical texts.Considering the fact that meaning representation is the central task in lexicographic work,the design of multimodal lexicographical texts is of essential importance.(2)Human communication is inherently multimodal(viz.,meaning is constructed and deconstructed through human senses of seeing,hearing,speaking,touching and smelling).The mobilization and interaction of multiple senses facilitate vocabulary learning.Since online dictionaries have advantages in multimodal semiotic resources and technical means,it is suggested that online ELDs adopt a multimodal approach to represent meaning so as to meet the multiliteracy needs of learners.(3)Traditional metaphor studies are confined to linguistic metaphors,while language is only one of the many means of meaning expression.The construction of multimodal metaphors overcomes the shortcomings of traditional metaphor studies and is more consistent with the characteristics of human multimodal communication.Three theories serve as inspirations for the construction of the multimodal meaning representation model,namely,Conceptual Metaphor Theory(CMT),Meaning-driven Multidimensional Definition Theory(MMDT)and Multimodal Metaphor Theory(MMT).The essence of the model for multimodal representation of metaphorical meanings is to evoke different scenarios for word use in users’ mind through multimodal definition.Meaning expressed under this model can be multiplied and the cognitive burden that users face can be reduced.This research is expected to shed some light on the design of multimodal lexicographical text in future multimodal dictionaries.