ABSTRACT

Context plays an important role in the communications between native speakers or between native speakers and non-native speakers. Many scholars at home and abroad have conducted lots of researches on context from different aspects. They put forward different views about the definitions, functions and classifications of context. Based on the theories related to context, this paper studies the definitions and classifications of context, and then focuses on the analysis of the roles of context in English learning with plenty of examples, including the roles of context in vocabulary learning, translation, discourse analysis, figures of speech and so on. Finally, this paper draws the conclusion that context can help eliminate ambiguity and clarify words’ meanings, choose words appropriately in translation, understand the theme of discourse and specify the meanings of figures of speech. Moreover, this paper advises English teachers to improve their teaching methods based on context in their teaching procedures and apply dynamic ways of teaching in vocabulary teaching, translation, discourse analysis and so on for the purpose of enhancing the learning efficiency of English learners.

Key words: context, roles of context, English learning, English teaching

CONTENTS

摘要

ABSTRACT

1. Introduction-1

1.1. Research Background-1

1.2. Significance of the Study-1

1.3. Studies at Home and Abroad-1

1.4. Data Collection-3

2. Types of Context-4

2.1. Static Context-4

2.2. Dynamic Context-4

3. The Roles of Context in the Study of English-7

3.1. The Roles of Context in the Study of Word Meanings-7

3.1.1. Eliminating Ambiguity-7

3.1.2. Clarifying the Meanings of Polysemous Words-8

3.1.3. Making Implication explicit-9

3.2. The Roles of Context in the Study of Discourse Analysis and Reading-10

3.2.1. Understanding the Signifier-10

3.2.2. Understanding the Theme of an Article-14

3.3. The Roles of Context in the Study of Translation-14

3.3.1. Understanding the Exact Meanings of Words or Phrases-15

3.3.2. Diction-15

3.3.3. Collocation-17

3.4. The Roles of Context in the Study of Figures of Speech-18

3.4.1. Irony-18

3.4.2. Metaphor-18

3.4.3. Pun-19

4. The Factors that Influence Context-20

4.1. Cultural Backgrounds-20

4.2. Individual Differences-20

5. Enlightenments to English Teaching-22

6. Conclusion-23