ABSTRACT

Nominalization is a prevalent linguistic phenomenon in English, especially in written English. There are a lot of nominalizations in English writing, which has some obstacles to the interpretation of language information. In this paper, we analyzed comprehensively the types and functions of nominalization in English news by quantitative and qualitative methods, providing help to second language acquisition and English teaching. Ten English news reports of different types were selected. Two kinds of nominalization can be found in news reports, namely nominalization on morphological level and clausal level including that-clause and what-clause. The use of nominalization makes news discourse more objective, concise and coherent. Nominalization also has communicative function to meet the needs of readers.

Key words: nominalization; English news; classification; functions

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Significance and Aim of the Study-2

Chapter Two NOMINALIZATION-4

2.1 Definition of Nominalization-4

2.2 Classification of Nominalization-5

2.3 Functions of Nominalization-6

Chapter Three METHODOLOGIES-7

3.1 Research Questions-7

3.2 Data Collection-7

Chapter Four RESULTS AND DISCUSSION-9

4.1 Nominalization in News Reports-9

4.1.1 Nominalization on Morphological Level-9

4.1.2 The Nominalization on the clausal Level-12

4.2 Functions of Nominalization in English News-13

4.2.1 Contributing to the objectivity-13

4.2.2 Encapsulating information-14

4.2.3 Facilitating textual cohesion and coherence-15

4.2.4 Expressing communicative intention-16

4.2.5 Catering to psychological needs of readers-17

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-19

5.1 Major Findings-19

5.2 Limitation of the Present Study-19

REFERENCES-21