关于逻辑关系词在阅读中的作用,我们首先来看一段文字:
the discourse markers signal relationships:between different parts of the discourse…the main reason for studying them is their usefulness in helping the reader to work out the meaning of difficult text.They often show the relationship the writer intends between two parts of the text,so if you can understand one part,the discourse marker is a possible key to the other part.(Christine Nuttall,1996.Teaching Reading Skills in a Foreign Language,Heinemann)
关于“discourse marker”,P.H.Matthews在其Oxford Concise Dictionary of Linguistics(Oxford University Press)一书中是这样描述的:Any of a variety of units whose function is within a larger discourse rather than an individual sentence or clause:e.g.but then in But then he might be late.“discourse marker”虽然范围更加广泛一些,但从以上文字不难看出,它*括了我们所熟悉的逻辑关系词(即文章中用于表示并列,转折,举例,因果,递进,让步,总结等逻辑关系的固定单词或词组)。也由此可见,特别重视形式逻辑和思维分析的英语行文,在词语之间和句子之间往往会借助各种逻辑关系词清楚表达思维逻辑和语意关系。因此了解和掌握逻辑关系词可以帮助我们把握文章中语意的转换和发展,理解文章重点表达的意思。
具体到雅思阅读,逻辑关系词在解题中体现出两大功能:
语意推断
语意推断主要是运用于重点题型之一的摘要题(Summary)。具体是指根据空格所在句及前后句的逻辑关系词,分析词语之间,句子之间的语意关系,推断出所缺单词的大致含义。
例如:
1.剑4/P77/Q38
Some corpora include a wide range of language while others are used to focus on a particular linguistic feature.
根据while这个表示对比或转折的逻辑关系词,可以判断它前后部分是对比或反义关系。“a wide range of language”指的是语言研究的广泛的各个方面,可以预判空格处应是指具体的方面。
2.剑1/P20/Q4-5
The very first fire-lighting methods involved the creation of friction by,for example,rapidly rotating a wooden stick in a round hole.
根据介词“by”和“for example”这个表示举例的逻辑关系词,可以预判第二个空格应是和“creation of friction”(产生摩擦)的具体动作有关的词。
3.剑1/P20/Q6
The use of percussion or persistent chipping was also widespread in Europe…
根据表示并列的逻辑关系词or,可以判断它前后部分是并列关系。Chipping是“削,凿”的意思,可以预判空格处应是类似意思的词。