BEYOND VOCABULARY: THE ROLE OF PHRASEOLOGY IN ENHANCING LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Keywords:
phraseology, language proficiency, vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, collocations, lexical approach, language teaching, fluency, communication skills, language learning.Abstract
This article examines the pivotal role of phraseology in advancing language proficiency beyond the mere accumulation of vocabulary. It emphasizes the significance of idiomatic expressions, collocations, and other fixed expressions as essential components of fluent and natural language use. Through a review of theoretical perspectives and empirical research, we highlight how phraseological knowledge contributes to improved comprehension and production in a second language, offering insights into teaching methodologies that effectively integrate phraseological units into language education. The challenges associated with teaching phraseology, including its vastness and the nuanced cultural contexts of its use, are discussed, alongside methodological approaches like the Lexical Approach which prioritize language chunks in learning. Empirical evidence supporting the impact of phraseological competence on linguistic fluency and comprehension is presented, underscoring the need for curricula that encompass phraseological units to foster more authentic communication skills. The article concludes with implications for language teaching and learning, suggesting that a greater focus on phraseology can bridge the gap between basic language knowledge and the ability to engage in fluent discourse. Through this exploration, the article advocates for the integration of phraseological units into language education to enhance overall language proficiency.
Downloads
References
Biber, D. (1993). Representativeness in Corpus Design. Literary and Linguistic Computing, 8(4), 243-257.
Cowie, A. P. (1998). Phraseology: Theory, Analysis, and Applications. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
DeCarrico, J. S. (2001). Vocabulary learning and teaching. In M. Celce-Murcia (Ed.), Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (3rd ed., pp. 285-299). Boston: Heinle & Heinle.
Ellis, N. C. (2003). Constructions, Chunking, and Connectionism: The Emergence of Second Language Structure. In C. J. Doughty & M. H. Long (Eds.), The Handbook of Second Language Acquisition. Blackwell.
Gries, S. T. (2009). Statistical Methods for Corpus Linguistics. In A. Lüdeling & M. Kytö (Eds.), Corpus Linguistics. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
Hoey, M. (2005). Lexical Priming: A New Theory of Words and Language. Routledge.
Kecskes, I. (2000). A Cognitive-Pragmatic Approach to Situation-bound Utterances. Journal of Pragmatics, 32(5), 605-625.
Lewis, M. (1993). The Lexical Approach: The State of ELT and a Way Forward. Hove, England: Language Teaching Publications.
McCarthy, M. (1998). *Spoken Language and Applied Linguistics*. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Moon, R. (1998). Fixed Expressions and Idioms in English: A Corpus-Based Approach. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Nattinger, J. R., & DeCarrico, J. S. (1992). Lexical Phrases and Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Nesselhauf, N. (2003). The Use of Collocations by Advanced Learners of English and Some Implications for Teaching. Applied Linguistics, 24(2), 223-242.
Pawley, A., & Syder, F. H. (1983). Two Puzzles for Linguistic Theory: Nativelike Selection and Nativelike Fluency. In J. C. Richards & R. W. Schmidt (Eds.), Language and Communication. Longman.
Schmitt, N. (2004). Formulaic Sequences: Acquisition, Processing, and Use. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Sinclair, J. (1991). Corpus, Concordance, Collocation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Siyanova-Chanturia, A. (2015). Collocation in Beginner Learners' Dictionaries: A Corpus Study. International Journal of Lexicography, 28(1), 40-65.
Skehan, P. (1998). A Cognitive Approach to Language Learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Widdowson, H. G. (1979). Explorations in Applied Linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wray, A. (2002). Formulaic Language and the Lexicon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Wray, A., & Perkins, M. R. (2000). The Functions of Formulaic Language: An Integrated Model. Language & Communication, 20(1), 1-28.