The Construction and Efficiency of Prototype Definitions for the EFL Learner's Dictionary

As a new, emerging field in L2 teaching and learning, Applied Cognitive Linguistics employs models and theories from Cognitive Linguistics and Psychology for the instruction of foreign languages, hoping to create more effective L2 teaching materials, methods and activities. In the past, EFL learner's dictionaries, such as the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary , have used a definition style that relies on a Feature-Based Semantics. Here, defined words are treated as sum of their semantic features (e.g., "cactus" as "plant that grows in hot dry regions, with a thick stem and spines"). In contrast, this book suggests a novel definition style for the EFL learner's dictionary that makes use of a usage-based Prototype Semantics - i.e., "Prototype Definitions". Here, definitions are based on the most typical usage events (i.e., actual utterances that contain a given word) for the defined word. The first part of the book, to introduce the novel definition style, discusses a Feature-Based Semantics, Prototype Semantics in Eleanor Rosch's tradition, and a recent, usage-based Prototype Semantics. In its second part, it introduces a quantitative learner study with sixth-form EFL students at eight German secondary schools. The study shows that "Prototype Definitions", in direct comparison to OALD definitions, lead to a higher outcome in correct L2 word understanding.


Table of Contents

List of Tables .............................................................................................................. vii

List of Figures ............................................................................................................ viii

Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................ ix

Format ........................................................................................................................... xi

1. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1

2. Applied Cognitive Linguistics ............................................................................ 5
2.0 Chapter Outline ..................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Towards a Definition of Applied CL ..................................................................... 5
2.2 Commitments of Applied CL .............................................................................. 13
2.2.1 The Cognitive Commitment ............................................................... 13
2.2.2 The Usage-Based Commitment ......................................................... 16
2.3 Research Dimensions of Applied CL .................................................................. 20
2.3.1 The Theoretical-Empirical Dimension .............................................. 21
2.3.2 The Non-Curricular-Curricular Dimension ....................................... 23

3. Prototype Semantics .......................................................................................... 25
3.0 Chapter Outline ................................................................................................... 25
3.1 Feature-Based Semantics .................................................................................... 26
3.2 Prototype Semantics: The "Roschian" Conception ............................................. 30
3.3 Prototype Semantics: The "Usage-Based" Conception ....................................... 38

4. The Learner's Dictionary ................................................................................. 46
4.0 Chapter Outline ................................................................................................... 46
4.1 The Learner's Dictionary .................................................................................... 46
4.2 Key Characteristics of the Learner's Dictionary ................................................. 49
4.3 Definition Formats of the Learner's Dictionary .................................................. 54

5. Study Questions & Study Design ..................................................................... 67
5.0 Chapter Outline ................................................................................................... 67
5.1 "Efficiency" for L2 Word and L2 Text Decoding ............................................... 67
5.2 Lexical Question ( Qlex ) ...................................................................................... 69
5.3 Textual Question ( Qtext ) ..................................................................................... 70
5.4 Load Question ( Qload ) ........................................................................................ 71
5.5 Study Design ....................................................................................................... 71

6. Pilot Study .......................................................................................................... 77
6.0 Chapter Outline ................................................................................................... 77
6.1 Entry Word Study (A) ......................................................................................... 77
6.2 Prototype Definition Study (B) ........................................................................... 86
6.3 Definition Efficiency Study (C) ........................................................................ 100
6.4 Changes for the Main Study .............................................................................. 116

7. Main Study ....................................................................................................... 118
7.0 Chapter Outline ................................................................................................. 118
7.1 Entry Word Study (A) ....................................................................................... 118
7.2 Prototype Definition Study (B) ......................................................................... 126
7.3 Definition Efficiency Study (C) ........................................................................ 134

8. Implications for a Practical Lexicography .................................................... 163
8.0 Chapter Outline ................................................................................................. 163
8.1 Prototype Theory and Definition Writing .......................................................... 163
8.2 Prototype Theory and Example Choice ............................................................. 164

9. Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 166

References ................................................................................................................. 172

Appendix ................................................................................................................... 196