The treatment of multi-word units in language reference materials – the case of phrasal verbs
Multi-word units like phrasal verbs (PVs) are very common in English, indicating their usefulness in everyday settings. Despite the importance of PVs in both written and spoken discourse, it was reported that language learners generally have great difficulties in understanding and using this lin...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MNNF Publisher
2017
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/63109/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/63109/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/63109/1/63109_The%20treatment%20of%20multi-word%20units.pdf |
| Summary: | Multi-word units like phrasal verbs (PVs) are very
common in English, indicating their usefulness in everyday settings.
Despite the importance of PVs in both written and spoken discourse,
it was reported that language learners generally have great
difficulties in understanding and using this linguistic form due to
various factors. The present study investigates how language
reference materials (i.e. textbooks and dictionaries) commonly
prescribed to Malaysian school learners address and describe this
very common and important linguistic feature. Secondary school
prescribed textbooks and two learner dictionaries were examined.
All sections in the textbooks and dictionaries entries that discuss the
selected common PVs were analyzed. Descriptive analysis was
conducted to examine how this particular language form is described
by looking at the selection of PVs, as well as information provided
with respect to PVs. Results of the analysis have revealed some
interesting findings with regard to the selection and description of
PVs in both reference materials. This may have also contributed to
learners' difficulties in understanding and learning the language
form. Recommendations for inclusion and selections of PVs in
language reference materials in Malaysian schools are discussed. |
|---|