基于语料库的BBC Science Focus科普文章词汇概况及可读性研究
A Corpus-Based Study of Lexical Profile and Readability of BBC Science Focus Popular Science Articles
摘要: 本研究旨在讨论科普文章对于English for Academic Purposes (EAP)教学的应用价值,深入分析其词汇特征和文本难度。研究选取了BBC Science Focus网站的科普文章作为语料,利用AntWordProfiler软件和Flesh-Kincaid公式分别从词汇覆盖率、所需词汇量及文本可读性展开分析。结果显示,科普文本General Service List (GSL)覆盖率为78.69%;Academic Word List (AWL)覆盖率为5.62%;词汇需求分别为5000词(95%覆盖率)和9000词(98%覆盖率);文本可读性在10.0~10.4之间。这表明科普文章可作为EAP学习的有效的过渡材料,作为桥梁,帮助学习者逐步适应学术英语的词汇与表达。基于此,本研究为EAP教学提供了详细的教学建议。
Abstract: This study aims to explore the application value of popular science articles in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) teaching, conducting an in-depth analysis of their lexical characteristics and text difficulty. The study selected popular science articles from the BBC Science Focus website as the corpus, using AntWordProfiler software and the Flesh-Kincaid formula to analyse lexical coverage, required vocabulary size, and text readability. The results showed that the General Service List of English Words (GSL) coverage of popular science texts was 78.69%; the Academic Word List (AWL) covered 5.62%; the vocabulary size were 5000 words (95% coverage) and 9000 words (98% coverage); and the text readability was ranged from 10.0 to 10.4. This indicates that science popularisation articles can serve as effective transitional materials for EAP learning, acting as a bridge to help learners gradually adapt to the vocabulary and expressions of academic English. Based on this, this study provides detailed teaching recommendations for EAP instruction.
文章引用:李文文. 基于语料库的BBC Science Focus科普文章词汇概况及可读性研究[J]. 现代语言学, 2025, 13(8): 1109-1116. https://doi.org/10.12677/ml.2025.138938

参考文献

[1] Laufer, B. and Ravenhorst-Kalovski, G.C. (2010) Lexical Threshold Revisited: Lexical Text Coverage, Learners’ Vocabulary Size. Reading in a Foreign Language, 22, 15-30.
[2] Bondi, M. (2016). Textbooks. In: Hyland, K. and Shaw, P., Eds., The Routledge Handbook of English for Academic Purposes, Routledge, 323-334.
[3] Miller, D. (2011) ESL Reading Textbooks vs. University Textbooks: Are We Giving Our Students the Input They May Need? Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 10, 32-46. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[4] Ciapuscio, G.E. (2003) Formulation and Reformulation Procedures in Verbal Interactions between Experts and (Semi-)laypersons. Discourse Studies, 5, 207-233. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[5] Batchelor, J. (2023) Writing Science for Diverse Audiences: A Corpus-Based Discourse Analysis of the Language of Science News and Research Articles. Georgia State University.
[6] Nation, P. and Waring, R. (1997) Vocabulary Size, Text Coverage and Word Lists. Vocabulary: Description, Acquisition and Pedagogy, 14, 6-19.
[7] Schmitt, N., Jiang, X. and Grabe, W. (2011) The Percentage of Words Known in a Text and Reading Comprehension. The Modern Language Journal, 95, 26-43. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[8] 唐玉玲, 张宇飞, 于东. 结合深度学习和语言难度特征的句子可读性计算方法[J]. 中文信息学报, 2022, 36(2): 29-39.
[9] 李绍山. 易读性研究概述[J]. 解放军外国语学院学报, 2000, 23(4): 1-5.
[10] 孙哲露, 李华东, 杜驭炎. 人教版高中英语课文可读性级别研究[J]. 英语教师, 2017, 17(20): 24-29.
[11] Hsu, W. (2014) Measuring the Vocabulary Load of Engineering Textbooks for EFL Undergraduates. English for Specific Purposes, 33, 54-65. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[12] Le Nguy, N.Q. and Ha, H.T. (2022) Lexical Profile of Academic Written English Revisited: What Does It Take to Understand Scholarly Abstracts? Sage Open, 12, 1-12. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[13] Hsu, W. (2011) The Vocabulary Thresholds of Business Textbooks and Business Research Articles for EFL Learners. English for Specific Purposes, 30, 247-257. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[14] Vukovic Stamatovic, M. (2020) Vocabulary Complexity and Reading and Listening Comprehension of Various Physics Genres. Corpus Linguistics and Linguistic Theory, 16, 487-514. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[15] Ha, H.T. (2022) Lexical Profile of Newspapers Revisited: A Corpus-Based Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article ID: 800983. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
[16] 李华东, 姜慧慧. 大学英语教材语言学术性和语言难度研究[J]. 杭州电子科技大学学报(社会科学版), 2022, 18(6): 59-65.
[17] Sterk, F.M. and Van Goch, M.M. (2023) Re-Presenting Research: A Guide to Analyzing Popularization Strategies in Science Journalism and Science Communication. Springer, 141.
[18] Myers, G. (2003) Discourse Studies of Scientific Popularization: Questioning the Boundaries. Discourse Studies, 5, 265-279. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[19] Muñoz, V.L. (2015) The Vocabulary of Agriculture Semi-Popularization Articles in English: A Corpus-Based Study. English for Specific Purposes, 39, 26-44. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[20] Yu, H. and Wen, J. (2025) Lexical Coverage in Science Popularization Discourse: The Case of Popular Science News from Scientific American. English for Specific Purposes, 77, 45-55. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[21] West, M. (1953) A General Service List of English Words. Longman.
[22] Coxhead, A. (2000) A New Academic Word List. TESOL Quarterly, 34, 213-238. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef
[23] Nation, I.S.P. (2018) The BNC/COCA Word Family Lists.
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/about/staff/paul-nation