英汉语篇模式差异对英语写作的影响

1、英汉语篇模式差异对英语写作的影响英汉语篇模式差异对英语写作的影响广东茂名学院外语系 徐义云*徐义云（1954-），男，江西丰城市人，英语副教授, 文学学士；研究方向：英语语法，写作，修辞，大学英语教学；通讯地址：广东省茂名学院师范学院外语系；邮政编码：525000；电话宅）办）；电子邮箱：xyy088摘 要：本文通过英汉语篇模式的对比分析，指出了英汉语篇模式差异对中国学生英语写作的影响，提出了几点关于如何提高英语写作水平的建议。关键词：语篇 模式 差异 英语写作 影响在漫长的历史过程中，人们把对客观现实的认识凝固成经验和习惯，借助语言形成

2、思想，又赋予思想一定的模式，进而形成一种思维形态。不同的民族文化，还有着各自的思维方式、思维特征和思维风格，构成我们所说的思维差异。思维上的差异，反映着使用某一种语言的民族群体千万年以来形成的语言心理倾向。因此，每一种语言，不仅仅是在句子结构上，而且在语篇模式上都体现着使用该种语言民族的思维特征。英汉两种语言也不例外。本文拟对英、汉语篇模式进行对比,从而分析其之间存在的差异对我国大学生进行英语写作时所产生的影响，旨在帮助我国大学生提高英语写作水平。1. 英汉语篇模式的对比1.1英语语篇模式不同类型的语篇在长期使用中都已形成一种特定的模式（pattern），具有一种区别于其它语篇的组织结构。Ho

3、ey（1988）McCarthy(1991)认为英语语篇有三种模式： 1）概括具体型（General-specific Pattern），其中包括：概括举例式（Generalization-Example）和整体细节式（Preview-Detail）；2）问题解决型（Problem-Solution Pattern）；3）对照匹配型(Matching-Pattern)。1) 概括具体型（General-Specific Pattern）。这种模式在英语中是最常见的、最有代表性的。它不但广泛应用于社会科学和自然科学的议论文和说明文中，而且也常用于描写文和记叙文中。它充分体现了英、美等西方人的直线

4、性思维模式。这种模式在英语的段落层面或语篇层面俯拾皆是。例如：An increase or a decrease in the price level affects the economic well-being of farmers. One of the best-known examples of this in American history took place throughout the late 1800s. Prices were going down, and this caused much displeasure to farmers, who were still

5、 relatively numerous. Many farmers were in debt; they had borrowed money to buy land and equipment. A farmer might have borrowed $500, and if his farm made $500 per year over his costs and living expenses, he might hope to pay the debt off in a year. If the prices the farmer received went down, say,

6、 to $250 per year, it made it very difficult for him to pay off his $500 debt. These facts show how directly the improvement of farmers life depends on the prices of their farm products. 这是一个“概括举例式（Generalization-Example）”的语篇。首句是一个主题句，道明了全段的主题思想, 下文的例证部分展开的是首句的内容：The working conditions were poor. Th

7、e tables where workers sat were very high, and uncomfortable. Except for a half hour at lunchtime, there were no breaks in the day to relieve the boring work. There was no music. The walls of the workrooms were a dull gray color. I was amazed that the workers hadnt gone on strike. 这是一个“整体细节式”(Previe

8、w-Detail Pattern)的语篇。其首句概括了主题思想，然后用细节加以说明。2) 问题解决型（Problem-Solution Pattern）。这种模式的特点是先说明情况，提出问题，随后进行分析，最后提出解决问题的意见或办法。这种模式多用于叙事性文体、文学作品，探讨科技、自然或社会问题的说明文也有时出现这种模式。例如：Nowadays there are more and more traffic accidents in some big cities. It is estimated that thousands upon thousands of men, women and

9、children are severely injured or even killed on the roads every year. Man is obviously much weaker than motor vehicles. It is a never-ending battle which man is losing.Why have there been so many road accidents? The first reason is that some pedestrians, especially old people and children, cannot se

10、e, hear or judge very well. The second reason is that some young drivers recklessly violate traffic regulations, such as driving when drunk, going the wrong direction, etc. The third reason is that sometimes something goes wrong with vehicles, so that the drivers lose control of them at a critical m

11、oment. For all this, the main cause of the road accidents is due to carelessness.It is high time that something were done about it. For example, drivers should be educated to see the importance of complying with traffic regulations and the terrible consequences of violating them. The motor vehicles

12、should regularly be put through strict tests for safety. In addition, traffic facilities should be improved so as to make drivers safer on the roads. All these measures will certainly reduce the number of traffic accidents. 此语篇第一段提出问题，第二段分析原因，第三段提出解决问题的办法。3) 对照匹配型（Matching-Pattern）。 英语常用这种模式构成对比语段，比

13、较两种事物的异同点。它往往存在于较长的语篇中，与“概括具体型”一起组成更复杂的语篇模式。例如：The American car of the 1980s is quite different from its old models. The most striking difference is the size. While the old models were large and spacious, the newer ones are smaller and more compact. In the past, cars were also constructed of heavier

14、 materials. Nowadays light-weight aluminum and plastic have replaced the heavy-weight metals of yesterday. Engines are now more fuel efficient. Ten years ago the average American car got ten miles per gallon to compete in the market. Many of these differences are advantageous to todays driver, but u

15、nfortunately these smaller, lighter cars are not as safe if an accident occurs. 这一语篇分别就汽车的体积、重量、节能以及潜在的安全问题等方面进行了比较。从以上各例我们可以看出，英语语篇的三种模式均具有“先抽象，后具体；先综合，后分析；先概括，后细节” 等特点。换句话说，英语语篇的组织和发展呈“直线型”，它通常以一个主题句（topic sentence）开头，直截了当地点明语篇的中心思想，然后在以后各句中发展这一中心思想。1.2汉语语篇模式汉语语篇模式与英语语篇模式有所不同。由于汉民族重综合的思维习惯，因此，汉语语篇

16、模式属于典型的东方“螺旋式”。这种模式的特点是：对篇章的主题往往不是通过直截了当的方式，而是采用曲折起伏、隐喻含蓄、断续离合、迂回间接的方式来阐述。例如：（1）The village of Marlott lay amid the northeastern undulations of the beautiful Vale of Blackemore or Blackmore aforesaid, an engirdled and secluded region, for the most part untrodden as yet by tourists or landscape-paint

17、er, though within a few hours journey from London. （2）前面说过的那个美丽的布雷谷或布莱谷，是一处群山环抱、幽静偏僻的地方，虽然离伦敦不过4个钟头的路程，但是它的大部分都不曾有过游历家和风景画家的足迹。马勒村就在它东北部那块起伏地带的中间。段（2）译文是张谷若的佳作。它与原文（1）的根本区别是： 英语直截了当以主题“马勒村”为主位和重心，由里向外扩展，直到远涉伦敦；中文则以一个已知信息为主位，先远涉伦敦，再迂回到近旁的、作为主题的“马勒村”。 又如：（3）Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly st

18、rong, have governed my life: longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. （4）渴望爱，寻求知识和对人类苦难的深切同情，这是支配我的生活的三种简单而无比强烈的情感。（3）是个十分简单地道的英语句子，可自成一个完整的叙述语篇，典型表现了英语思维先总述后展开的所谓直线型模式。其译文句（4）应算是相当切合于原文、地道的中文。但却由于表述顺序的颠倒，主位与述位的部分变换，体现了大不相同的思维方式，即先分述后总结的所谓中文螺旋式。2.

19、 英汉语篇模式差异对英语写作的影响英语写作能力是英语学习者必须掌握的技能之一，是英语交际能力的重要体现。越来越多的大学生已经意识到英语写作的重要性。近年来，我国大学生的英语写作水平虽然有所提高，但是由于大部分人不甚了解英语语篇模式，而且深受汉语语篇模式的影响，他们写出的英语文章，虽然不存在遣词造句问题，也没有严重的语法错误，但读起来总觉得没有地道英文所具有的那种“洋味”。其表现在：1）讲述一个论点时，拐弯抹角，迟迟不切入主题，缺少地道英文直截了当的特点；2）总是围绕所议的主题进行论述，缺少地道英文观点明确和主题突出的特点。许多中外学者也都注意到了这一点。例如王墨希先生在其中国学生英语语篇思维模

20、式调查一文中说到，中国学生的思维模式具有隐伏性的特点。他对六个组（非英语专业中没有学过英语写作的本科生、硕士生和学过一些英语写作的本科生和硕士生，英语专业中一年级、三年级和四年级学生）180篇中国学生的英语作文分析，其中有66.11%的作文属于隐伏性，即“阐述时不从主题入手，直接说明，而是用各方面的情况和问题给予暗示或明示”。Andy Kirkpatrick也研究了中国学生写的40封英文信，认为中国学生的英文书信写法太拐弯抹角，离题太多。请看其中的一封英文书信：Respected Radio Australia producers:I have been a loyal listener to

21、 Radio Australias English teaching programs and to “Songs You Like” for several years. I consider both programs to be extremely well produced.Let me describe myself a little: I am a middle school student, I am eighteen and my home is in x x x , a small border city. The cultural life really isnt too

22、bad. Because I like studying English, I therefore follow those programs closely. But because the Central Broadcasting Stations English programs are rather abstruse, they are not really suitable for me and therefore I get all my practice in listening comprehension and dialogue from Radio Australias E

23、nglish programs. This practice has been of great benefit. As I progress, step by step through the course, I am keenly aware that not having the teaching materials presents several difficulties. Because of this, I have taken time to write this letter to you, in the hope that I can obtain a set of Rad

24、io Australias English programs teaching materials. Please let me know the cost of the materials.In addition, I hope to obtain a Radio Australias calendar. Wishing Radio Australias MSC programs more interesting.Listener x x这是作者写给澳大利亚电台的一封信。目的是为了得到电台英语节目教材。但是作者开始不是明说，而是曲折表达自己如何学习英语，如何听电台的英语节目，如何喜欢这个英语

25、节目，以及没有教材带来的困难，最后才点明主题。这封书信典型地运用了汉语语篇模式，写了许多与主题无关的话。难怪Andy Kirkpatrick 会说中国学生的英文书信拐弯抹角，离题太多。按照澳大利亚人的写法，这封信很可能会是：Dear Radio Australia,I would be very grateful if you would be kind enough to send me teaching materials for your excellent English language teaching programmes. I am learning English from

26、your programmes but am finding it difficult without the materials.I would also be very grateful if you would be kind enough to send me a Radio Australia calendar. Yours sincerely， x x 因此，对我们中国学生来说，要写出符合西方人口味的、地道的英文文章或书信，就必须转换一种思维方式和习惯，摆脱汉语语篇模式的束缚，正确使用英语语篇模式。3. 重视英语语篇模式教学，提高学生英语写作水平通过以上对英汉语篇模式的对比分析，我

27、们可以看到：英语语篇呈“直线型”的逻辑特征，汉语语篇呈“螺线形”的逻辑特征。中国学生之所以写不出地道的英文文章，其中的一个主要原因就是不甚了解英语语篇的这种“直线型”特征。为了培养学生良好的英语思维习惯，提高学生的英语写作水平，在英语教学中，教师必须重视英语语篇模式的教学。具体做法可以是：1) 结合英语精读课的讲授，有意识地向学生介绍英语语篇模式其实，在我们的大学英语（精读）课本里的课文当中，有很多非常好的有关英语语篇模式的实例，我们的教师在备课当中只要稍加注意，就能发现。例如：There are three kinds of book owners. The first has all th

28、e standard sets and best-sellersunread, untouched. (This individual owns wood-pulp and ink, not books.) The second has a great many booksa few of them read through, most of them dipped into, but all of them as clean and shiny as the day they were bought. (This person would probably like to make book

29、s his own, but is restrained by a false respect for their physical appearance.) The third has a few books or manyevery one of them dog-eared and dilapidated, shaken and loosened by continual use, marked and scribbled in from front to back. (This man owns books.) Why is marking up a book indispensabl

30、e to reading? First, it keeps you awake. (And I dont mean merely conscious; I mean wide awake.) In the second place, reading, if it is active, is thinking, and thinking tends to express itself in words, spoken or written. The marked book is usually the thought-through book. Finally, writing helps yo

31、u remember the thoughts you read, or the thoughts the author expressed. Let me develop these three points. from How To Mark A Book by Mortimer J. Adler Yet there are advantages to underground life, too, and something to be said for imaging whole cities, even mankind generally, moving downward; of ha

32、ving the outmost mile of the Earths crust honeycombed with passages and structures, like a gigantic ant hall.First, weather would no longer be important, since it is primarily a phenomenon of the atmosphere. Rain, snow, sleet, fog would not trouble the underground world. Even temperature variations

33、are limited to the open surface and would not exist underground.Second, local time would no longer be important. On the surface, the tyranny of day and night cannot be avoided, and when it is morning in one place, it is noon in another, evening in still another and midnight in yet another. The rhyth

34、m of human life therefore varies from place to place Third, the ecological structure could be stabilized. To a certain extent, mankind encumbers the Earth. It is not only his enormous numbers that take up room; more so, it is all the structures he builds to house himself and his machines, to make po

35、ssible his transportation and commun8ication, to offer him rest and recreation. All these things distort the wild, depriving many species of plants and animals of their natural habitat-and sometimes, involuntarily, favoring a few, such as rats and roaches. from The New Caves by Isaac Asimov 以上各段都是采用从概括具体的直线式推进的英语语篇模式。2) 进行英汉语篇模式对比分析，让学生了解英汉语篇模式的差异3) 加强对学生课外英语写作的训练和指导教师在上精读课时，可经常结合课文中所出现的相关语段进行语篇分析，向学生布置相应的写作练习并仔细批阅，然后再向学生提供具有规范模式的范文，以便使学生达到对英语语篇模式的内化。参考文献：1陈晓菊. 文体知识在大学英语精读教学中的运用：词汇和语篇层面J. 外语教学，2001, Vol.22，No.5. 63.2王 瑛. 大学英语作文怎样写M. 北京:中国国际广播出版社. 1989, 102