探究語言使用環境、歧義和語境對華語學習者慣用語理解之影響

Abstract

華語慣用語為母語者常用之表達方式之一，其透過隱喻及轉喻的方式形成新的語義，使其多帶有雙重或多重語義（陳雅芳，2022），以及文化內涵（徐安妮，2008），且因為地區使用習慣的差異，以至於華語學習者的學習難度提升。此外，在華語教學方面，語境是否能幫助華語學習者理解（王艷芳，2009；趙嬌，2013；彭妮絲，2013）亦是值得討論的議題之一。為了瞭解語言使用環境、歧義及語境對於華語學習者理解慣用語的影響，本研究先是透過母語者慣用語使用習慣問卷，挑選出臺灣母語者常用的慣用語及其特徵，再以母語者的常用程度及慣用語的歧義程度篩選出20個慣用語，設計成華語學習者慣用語推測能力問卷，最後，分析問卷收集之數據。根據母語者慣用語使用習慣問卷之數據，本研究發現臺灣母語者常用之慣用語，多是以隱喻方式形成，且多是以具體物作為來源域，以達到表達清晰與生動之目的；此外，在語義使用上，則是以延伸的慣用語義為主，且往往帶有負面的感情色彩，間接的表達方式亦符合傳統中華文化委婉表達，弱化語言殺傷力之目的（Kaplan，1966；邱湘雲，2007）。依照華語學習者慣用語推測能力問卷之結果，母語者的常用度與華語學習者理解慣用語之程度，未達顯著相關性，符合VanPatten& William (2007) 提及頻率對於二語習得的影響有限的觀察，可能是華語學習者未注意到真實語言環境中的慣用語或是未成為可理解輸入（Krashen, 1982；Gass, 1988）。此外，慣用語的歧義程度與正確率，亦未達顯著相關性，與學習者原本就不知慣用語有歧義有關。最後，在語境影響性與正確率方面，兩者達顯著正相關，表示語境對多數華語學習者在理解慣用語上有幫助性。Chinese idiomatic expressions are one of the commonly used forms of expression by native speakers. These expressions often form new meanings through metaphor and metonymy, resulting in multiple meanings (Chen Yafang, 2022) and cultural connotations (Xu Anni, 2008). Due to usage differences in regions, learning Chinese idioms poses greater difficulty for Chinese learners. Moreover, whether context can help Chinese learners understand idiomatic expressions is also a topic worth discussing in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (Wang Yanfang, 2009; Zhao Jiao, 2013; Peng Nisi, 2013).To understand the impact of the authentic language environment, ambiguity, and context on the Chinese learners’ comprehension of idiomatic expressions, this study first conducted a survey on the idiomatic usage habits of native speakers to select commonly used idioms and understand their characteristics. Then, based on the frequency of use by native speakers and the ambiguity of the idioms, 20 idioms were selected to design a questionnaire on the Chinese learners’ inferential ability of idioms. Finally, the collected data from the questionnaire was analyzed.According to the data from the survey on the idiomatic usage habits of native speakers, this study found that idiomatic expressions commonly used by Taiwanese native speakers are mostly formed metaphorically, often using concrete objects as the source domain to achieve clear and vivid expression. Additionally, in terms of semantic use, extended idiomatic meanings are predominant, which often carry negative emotional connotations. The indirect way of expression also aligns with the purpose of euphemistic expression in traditional Chinese culture, reducing the linguistic impact (Kaplan, 1966; Qiu Xiangyun, 2007).Based on the results of the questionnaire on the Chinese learners' inferential ability of idioms, there was no significant correlation between the frequency of use by native speakers and the understanding of idioms by Chinese learners. This is compatible with VanPatten & William's (2007) observation that frequency has limited impact on second language acquisition, possibly because Chinese learners did not notice idiomatic expressions in the environment or the expression in the environment did not become learners’ comprehensible input (Krashen, 1982; Gass, 1988). Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between the idiomatic ambiguity and the correctness rate. This might be related to the learners' initial unawareness of the idioms’ other meanings. Lastly, there was a significant positive correlation between the influence of context and the correctness rate, indicating that context is helpful for most Chinese learners in understanding idiomatic expressions.