基于COCA语料库对“Divorce”一词的扩展意义单位研究

A Corpus-Based Study on the Extended Meaning Unit of the Word “Divorce” in COCA

摘要: 认知偏差影响二语习得进程，如词汇学习存在“刻板印象”、“过度概括”现象。本研究基于美国当代英语语料库(COCA)，以“divorce”为节点词研究其扩展意义单位，从名词、动词两角度分别分析该搭配词的语义倾向，词类联接特点以及语义韵特征。研究发现，该词适用范围广泛，作为名词使用更正式。该词类联接丰富；中性语义倾向占绝对优势，其次为消极语义倾向，极少数表现积极的语义倾向。“divorce”与“from”搭配相对特殊，体现双重语义倾向。此外，发现两组体现消极语义韵的固定结构。除了与积极/消极搭配词共现，该词还通过因果逻辑、并列结构共现表现其语义韵特点。此外，存在不合理增强其消极性现象，应避免。在语言学习及研究过程中，英语学习者可借助扩展意义单位分析，以便更好地理解、应用该词。

Abstract: Cognitive biases affect the process of second language acquisition, such as the phenomena of “stereotyping” and “overgeneralization” in vocabulary learning. This study, based on the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA), explores the extended meaning unit of the node word “divorce”, analyzing its semantic tendencies, word class connections, and semantic prosody features from both noun and verb perspectives. The findings show that “divorce” has a broad range of applications, with its use as a noun being more formal. The word class connections associated with “divorce” are rich and varied; its semantic tendencies are overwhelmingly neutral, followed by negative, with positive semantic tendencies being extremely rare. The collocation of “divorce” with “from” is relatively special, reflecting a dual semantic tendency. Furthermore, two sets of fixed structures exhibiting negative semantic prosody were identified. In addition to co-occurring with words that have positive/negative connotations, “divorce” also demonstrates its semantic prosody characteristics through causal logic and parallel constructions. Moreover, there is a phenomenon of irrationally amplifying its negativity, which should be avoided. In the process of language learning and research, English learners can benefit from the analysis of extended meaning unit to better understand and use the word.