How to express ‘ express ’ ? – Pedagogical reflections from web resources Yiching Wu Yiching...

How to express How to express ‘‘expressexpress’? – ’? – Pedagogical Pedagogical

reflections from web reflections from web resourcesresources Yiching WuYiching Wu

National Tsing Hua UniversityNational Tsing Hua University Simon SmithSimon Smith Ming Chuan UniversityMing Chuan University Chu-Ren HuangChu-Ren Huang Institute of Linguistics, Academia SInstitute of Linguistics, Academia Sinicainica

ExpressExpress on the Internet on the Internet Web resources,Web resources, dictionaries, thesauri and cdictionaries, thesauri and c

orpora,orpora, are regarded as useful tools in lingu are regarded as useful tools in linguistics and applied widely in pedagogy nowaistics and applied widely in pedagogy nowadays. (Biber 1993, Wichmann et al. 1997, days. (Biber 1993, Wichmann et al. 1997,

Biber et al. 1998, Partington 1998, Hunston 1Biber et al. 1998, Partington 1998, Hunston 1999, Sinclair 2002, Aston et al. (2004))999, Sinclair 2002, Aston et al. (2004))

Viewpoint:Viewpoint: non-native language speaker non-native language speaker Goal:Goal: to gain a better understanding of to gain a better understanding of current function and future directionscurrent function and future directions

Resources on the Resources on the InternetInternet

Dictionaries:Dictionaries:Cambridge Dictionaries OnlineCambridge Dictionaries Online

Merriam-Webster OnlineMerriam-Webster Online Thesauri:Thesauri: WordNet, FrameNet, HowNet, PropositioWordNet, FrameNet, HowNet, Propositio

n Bank n Bank Corpora:Corpora:

BNC,BNC, Sinica Corpus, SinoramaSinica Corpus, Sinorama

Online dictionary: Online dictionary: CALDCALD

The Cambridge Advanced The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary (CALD)Learner's Dictionary (CALD)

Three Three express express entries are found, entries are found, based on based on the similarity of the similarity of meaningmeaning::

express express (SHOW)(SHOW)

expressexpress (FAST) (FAST)

expressexpress (CLEAR) (CLEAR)

Online dictionary: Online dictionary: CALDCALDexpress express (SHOW)(SHOW)

Examples:Examples: Her eyes Her eyes expressedexpressed (vt)(vt) deep sadness. deep sadness. I would like to I would like to expressexpress (vt)(vt) my thanks for ymy thanks for y

our kindness.our kindness. I'm afraid I'm not I'm afraid I'm not expressingexpressing (vt)(vt) myself vemyself ve

ry clearly. ry clearly. Words can't Words can't express express (vt)(vt) how happy I am. how happy I am. These figures are These figures are expressedexpressed (vt)(vt) as a perceas a perce

ntage of the total.ntage of the total. Related words:Related words: expression expression (n), (n), expressionlessexpressionless (a), (a), expressivexpressiv

ee (a) (a) expressivelyexpressively (adv), (adv), expressivenessexpressiveness (n) (n)

Online dictionary: Online dictionary: CALDCALDexpress express (FAST)(FAST)

Examples:Examples: Your order will be Your order will be expressedexpressed (v)(v) to you witto you wit

hin 24 hourshin 24 hours.. the Orient the Orient Express Express (n)(n) express express (a)(a) traintrain Send this parcel Send this parcel expressexpress (adv) (adv)..

Online dictionary: Online dictionary: CALDCALDexpress express (CLEAR )(CLEAR )

Examples:Examples: It is my It is my express express (a)(a) wish that wish that

after my death, my books be after my death, my books be given to my old college library.given to my old college library.

Related words:Related words:

expresslyexpressly (adv) (adv)

Online dictionaries: Online dictionaries: MWOD, WordNetMWOD, WordNet

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (MWThe Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (MWOD)OD)

WordNetWordNet Four entries are found based on Four entries are found based on grammatical fgrammatical f

unctionunction:: expressexpress (a), (a), expressexpress (adv), (adv), expressexpress (n), (n), expressexpress (v) (v)

‘‘to force out (as the juice of a fruit) by pto force out (as the juice of a fruit) by pressure’ressure’

‘‘to cause (a gene) to manifest its effects to cause (a gene) to manifest its effects in the in the phenotype’ phenotype’

Two compounds in MWOD:Two compounds in MWOD: Express Mail, pony expressExpress Mail, pony express

What we can learnWhat we can learn meaningmeaning grammatical functions:grammatical functions: adjective, noun, adverb and verb.adjective, noun, adverb and verb. derived words:derived words: expressionexpression, , expressiveness,expressiveness, expressionlessexpressionless, , expressiveexpressive, , expressivelyexpressively, , expresslyexpressly compounds:compounds: Express MailExpress Mail , , pony pony

expressexpress phrases:phrases: e express yourselfxpress yourself well-formed sentenceswell-formed sentences

Creativity and analogyCreativity and analogy

He expressed his feelings.He expressed his feelings. He expressed his angerHe expressed his anger.. my express wishmy express wish your express hopesyour express hopes my express desiremy express desire to express how happy I amto express how happy I am to express what a beautiful girl sto express what a beautiful girl s

he is he is

??

?

What we cannot learnWhat we cannot learn

guidance on ungrammatical usesguidance on ungrammatical uses similarities and differences between similarities and differences between

English and the learners’ mother laEnglish and the learners’ mother languagenguage

frequency of usagefrequency of usage meaning:meaning: SHOW>FAST>CLEAR SHOW>FAST>CLEAR ?? function:function: a>n>v>adv a>n>v>adv ?? unmarked (frequent) >marked (rare)unmarked (frequent) >marked (rare) (Odlin 1994, Teng 1998)(Odlin 1994, Teng 1998)

Online corpora: Online corpora: (1) BNC(1) BNC

the British National Corpus (BNC)the British National Corpus (BNC) (Leech 1992)(Leech 1992) data:data: 100 million English words 100 million English words collected between 1991 and 1994.collected between 1991 and 1994. tool: tool: the Sketch Enginethe Sketch Engine programmed by programmed by Dr. Adam Kilgarriff and Dr. Pavel Dr. Adam Kilgarriff and Dr. Pavel

RychlýRychlý

Online corpora:Online corpora: (2) Sinoram(2) Sinoramaa

the Sinorama Chinese-English Parallel Text Corpthe Sinorama Chinese-English Parallel Text Corpusus ( (SinoramaSinorama))

data:data: 2,373 pairs of articles in Chinese/English, 2,373 pairs of articles in Chinese/English, published between 1976 and 2000.published between 1976 and 2000. (103,252 pairs of sentences translated into a(103,252 pairs of sentences translated into a

bout bout 3.2 million English words and 3.2 million English words and 5.3 million Chinese characters) 5.3 million Chinese characters) tool:tool: TOTALrecalTOTALrecal on CANDLE on CANDLE led by Professor Hsien-Chin Liou and led by Professor Hsien-Chin Liou and Jason S Chang at National Tsing Hua UniverJason S Chang at National Tsing Hua Univer

sity.sity.

Part of speech distribution of Part of speech distribution of expressexpress in BNC and Sinorama in BNC and Sinorama

CorpusCorpus

POS POS

BNC BNC Sinorama Sinorama

councount t

percentpercentage age

coucount nt

percentapercentage ge

V V 11,911,959 59 87.1% 87.1% 513 513 98.6% 98.6%

N N 1,061,060 0 7.7% 7.7% 2 2 0.4% 0.4%

A A 713 713 5.2% 5.2% 5 5 1.0% 1.0%

total total 13,713,732 32 100.0% 100.0% 520 520 100.0% 100.0%

Online thesauri:Online thesauri: (1) FrameN(1) FrameNetet

FrameNet (Fillmore et al. 2004) FrameNet (Fillmore et al. 2004) Statement frame:Statement frame: expressexpress (v) (v) Core frame elements:Core frame elements: Medium, Message, Speaker, Addressee,Medium, Message, Speaker, Addressee,

Topic. Topic. Lexical units:Lexical units: add, address, say, question, speak, statadd, address, say, question, speak, stat

e, statement,e, statement, and and discussdiscuss etc. etc.

Online thesauri:Online thesauri: (1)(1) FrameNet FrameNet ––Statement frameStatement frame

Examples:Examples:a.a. EvelynEvelyn (Speaker)(Speaker) saidsaid (V) (V) that she that she

was not ready to leavewas not ready to leave (Message)(Message)..b.b. KimKim (Speaker)(Speaker) questionedquestioned (V)(V) meme

(Addressee)(Addressee) over the phoneover the phone (Medium)(Medium)..c.c. EvelynEvelyn (Speaker)(Speaker) spokespoke (V) (V) feelingly feelingly

about what happenedabout what happened (Topic)(Topic)..d.d. EvelynEvelyn (Speaker)(Speaker) made a persuasive made a persuasive

statementstatement (N). (N).e.e. The teacherThe teacher (Speaker)(Speaker) discusseddiscussed (V) (V)

the recent campus incidentsthe recent campus incidents (Topic)(Topic)..

no annotated sentences of no annotated sentences of expressexpress

Online thesauri:Online thesauri: (1) FrameNet (1) FrameNet ––Statement frame-Statement frame-expressexpress

Examples:Examples:a.a. EvelynEvelyn (Speaker)(Speaker) expressedexpressed (V) (V) that that

she was not ready to leaveshe was not ready to leave (Message)(Message)..b.b. KimKim (Speaker)(Speaker) expressedexpressed (V)(V) meme

(Addressee)(Addressee) over the phoneover the phone (Medium)(Medium)..c.c. EvelynEvelyn (Speaker)(Speaker) expressedexpressed (V) (V)

feelingly feelingly about what happenedabout what happened (Topic)(Topic)..d.d. EvelynEvelyn (Speaker)(Speaker) made a persuasive made a persuasive

expressionexpression (N)(N).. e.e. The teacherThe teacher (Speaker)(Speaker) expressedexpressed (V) (V)

the recent campus incidentsthe recent campus incidents (Topic)(Topic)..

Online thesauri: Online thesauri: (2) PropBa(2) PropBanknk

The English Proposition BankThe English Proposition Bank (English PropBank)(English PropBank) conducted by Professor Martha Stone conducted by Professor Martha Stone

Palmer and Mitch Marcus at the UnivPalmer and Mitch Marcus at the University of Pennsylvania ersity of Pennsylvania

SAY SAY :: expressexpressroles:roles: Speaker, Utterance, Addressee Speaker, Utterance, Addressee

SEND SEND :: expressexpress roles:roles: Sender, Thing Sent, Sent-To Sender, Thing Sent, Sent-To

Online thesaurus:Online thesaurus: (2) PropBan(2) PropBank-k-

SAY-SAY- expressexpress, , SEND-SEND- expressexpress SAY SAY :: expressexpress Mr. HarperMr. Harper (Speaker)(Speaker) expressedexpressed (V) (V)

confidence confidence thatthat he and Mr. Baum can he and Mr. Baum can convince the board of their convince the board of their worthiness to run the companyworthiness to run the company (Utterance)(Utterance)..

SEND SEND :: expressexpress JohnJohn (Sender)(Sender) expressedexpressed (V) (V) his his

Christmas listChristmas list (Thing Sent)(Thing Sent) to the to the North PoleNorth Pole (Sent-To)(Sent-To)..

Patterns ofPatterns of express express (v)(v) ‘to show a feeling, opinion ‘to show a feeling, opinion

or fact’or fact’ a.a. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress Message Message [NP][NP] b.b. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress Topic Topic [NP (reflexive)][NP (reflexive)] c.c. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress Message Message [[howhow-clause]-clause] d.d. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress Message Message [[thatthat-clause]-clause] e.e. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress Message Message [NP[NP thatthat-clause]-clause] f.f. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress Addressee MediumAddressee Medium g.g. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress (Manner (Manner [AdvP][AdvP]) Topic ) Topic [[aboutabout N N

P/NP]P/NP] h.h. Theme Theme [NP][NP] be expressedbe expressed asas Relevant Relevant [NP][NP]

Online bilingualOnline bilingual thesauri: thesauri: (3) HowNet(3) HowNet

expressexpress Def: Def: express|express| 表示表示 , , describe|describe| 描寫描寫 , , post|post| 郵寄郵寄 Chinese expressions related to Chinese expressions related to express|express| 表示表示 biaomingbiaoming 表明表明 ‘ ‘ express clearly’, express clearly’, biaoshibiaoshi 表示表示 ‘ ‘ expresexpres

s’s’ biaoxianbiaoxian 表現表現 ‘ ‘ show’, show’, biaotaibiaotai 表態表態 ‘ ‘ express attitude’ express attitude’ biaoshi guandianbiaoshi guandian 表示觀點表示觀點 ‘ ‘ express viewpoint ’ express viewpoint ’ mingque biaoshi lichangmingque biaoshi lichang 明確表示立場明確表示立場 ‘ ‘ explicitly expresexplicitly expres

s standpoint’ s standpoint’ biaoshi zhongxinbiaoshi zhongxin 表示忠心表示忠心 ‘ ‘ express loyalty’express loyalty’ expressexpress ‘conveying a message in language’‘conveying a message in language’ biaosbiaos

hihi 表示表示

ExpressExpress and and biaoshibiaoshi in in SinoSinoramarama

expressexpress : 52: 5200

biaoshi biaoshi 表示表示 : 1,8: 1,843 43

expressexpress || : 7 : 7

33biaoshibiaoshi 表示表示

CorpuCorpuss

POSPOS

SinoramaSinoramacoucountnt

percentpercentageage

V V 513513 98.6%98.6%

N N 2 2 0.4%0.4%A A 5 5 1.0%1.0%

total total 520 520 100.0%100.0%

(14(14%)%)( 4( 4%)%)

Why theWhy the match rate is match rate is low?low?

Hypothesis I: Hypothesis I: The low match rate results from The low match rate results from an asymmetryan asymmetry

of grammatical function distribution. of grammatical function distribution.

expressexpress biao3 shi4 biao3 shi4 表示表示 countcount percentpercent

ageagecouncountt

percentapercentagege

V V 513513 98.6%98.6% 1,841,8411

99.9%99.9%

N N 2 2 0.4%0.4% 22 0.1%0.1%

A A 5 5 1.0%1.0% 00 0.0%0.0%

Total Total 520 520 100.0%100.0% 1,841,843 3

100.0% 100.0%

Why theWhy the match rate is low?match rate is low? Hypothesis IHypothesis I

BNCBNC vs. vs. Sinica CorpusSinica Corpus

expressexpress biao3 shi4 biao3 shi4 表示表示 countcount percentpercent

ageagecouncountt


V V 11,9511,959 9

87.1% 87.1% 5,285,289 9

99.3% 99.3%

N N 1,060 1,060

7.7% 7.7% 36 36 0.7% 0.7%

A A 713 713

5.2% 5.2% 0 0 0 0

Total Total 13,7313,732 2

100.0% 100.0% 5,325,325 5

100.0% 100.0%

The low match rate The low match rate does notdoes not result from an result from an asymmetry of asymmetry of grammatical function distributiongrammatical function distribution..


Hypothesis II:Hypothesis II: Biaoshi Biaoshi 表示表示 is also polysemous, onlis also polysemous, onl

y some of the meanings can be mappy some of the meanings can be mapped to ed to expressexpress..

Senses and meaning facets of Senses and meaning facets of biaoshibiaoshi 表示表示

Liu and Wu 2004, Wu 2004Liu and Wu 2004, Wu 2004Sense 1: Sense 1: ‘‘to quote or to describe what a Speaker saidto quote or to describe what a Speaker said

’’他他表示表示：「這樣的定位點不容易被取代。」：「這樣的定位點不容易被取代。」ta ta biaoshibiaoshi:: 「「 zheyang de dingweidian bu rongzheyang de dingweidian bu rong

yi bei qudai.yi bei qudai. 」」he he biaoshibiaoshi: “this kind of anchoring point not : “this kind of anchoring point not

easy be replaced.”easy be replaced.”‘‘He He saidsaid, “This kind of anchoring point is n, “This kind of anchoring point is n

ot easy to be replaced.”’ot easy to be replaced.”’


Sense 2: Sense 2: ‘‘to convey emotion or attitude in langto convey emotion or attitude in lang

uage or uage or by an actionby an action ’’

李先生李先生表示表示同情。同情。li xiansheng li xiansheng biaoshibiaoshi tongqing. tongqing.Li Mr. Li Mr. biaoshibiaoshi sympathy. sympathy.‘‘Mr. Li Mr. Li expressedexpressed his sympathy.’ his sympathy.’


Sense 3: Sense 3: ‘‘to represent one thing in terms of another’to represent one thing in terms of another’facet 1: ‘to reveal a deductive meaning’facet 1: ‘to reveal a deductive meaning’ 我這麼說並不我這麼說並不表示表示我不重視可能的弊端我不重視可能的弊端wo zheme shuo bing buwo zheme shuo bing bu biaoshibiaoshi wo bu zhongshi wo bu zhongshi keneng de biduan.keneng de biduan.I so say do not I so say do not biaoshibiaoshi I not concern possible mI not concern possible m

aladyalady‘‘Saying so doesn’t Saying so doesn’t meanmean that I am taking the that I am taking the possibility of creating abuses lightly.’possibility of creating abuses lightly.’


Sense 3Sense 3facet 2: ‘to reveal a substitutive meanfacet 2: ‘to reveal a substitutive mean

inging ’’ conventionalconventional鮮花鮮花表示表示愛情。愛情。xianhua xianhua biaoshibiaoshi aiqing. aiqing.fresh flower fresh flower biaoshibiaoshi love.love.‘‘Fresh flowers Fresh flowers representrepresent love.’ love.’


Sense 3Sense 3facet 2: ‘to reveal a substitutive meaningfacet 2: ‘to reveal a substitutive meaning

’’ non-conventionalnon-conventional一支國旗一支國旗表示表示一萬尾烏魚。一萬尾烏魚。yi zhi guoqi yi zhi guoqi biaoshibiaoshi yi wan wei wuyu. yi wan wei wuyu.one classifier nation flag one classifier nation flag biaoshibiaoshi 10,00010,000classifier grey mullet classifier grey mullet ‘‘One flag One flag representsrepresents 10,000 grey mullet.’ 10,000 grey mullet.’

Mapping of Mapping of expressexpress and and biaoshi4biaoshi4表示表示

expressexpress ‘conveying a message in languag‘conveying a message in language’e’

biaoshibiaoshi 表示表示 --Sense 2: Sense 2: ‘‘to convey emotion or attitude in language to convey emotion or attitude in language

or by an actionor by an action ’’李先生李先生表示表示同情。同情。‘‘Mr. Li Mr. Li expressedexpressed his sympathy.’ his sympathy.’

Hypothesis II:Hypothesis II: Biaoshi Biaoshi 表示表示 is also polysemous, only is also polysemous, only senssens

e 2e 2 can be mapped to can be mapped to expressexpress..


Examples fromExamples from SinoramaSinorama a. a. At the end of last year, At the end of last year, Thai Prince BThai Prince B

hisadejhisadej expressedexpressed on the occasion of th on the occasion of the retirement of Sung Ching-yune retirement of Sung Ching-yun, "Papa , "Papa Sung, who has worked shoulder to shoSung, who has worked shoulder to shoulder with our people for the developmulder with our people for the development of the mountain areas for over tweent of the mountain areas for over twenty years, is now going to retire. And onty years, is now going to retire. And our farms have lost a friend and a fatherur farms have lost a friend and a father..””

SpeakerSpeaker expressexpress,, ‘Message [clause].’‘Message [clause].’


Examples fromExamples from SinoramaSinorama

"I'm quite certain that old photos of t"I'm quite certain that old photos of this kind can still be found in every plhis kind can still be found in every place in Taiwan,"ace in Taiwan," Liao Chia-chanLiao Chia-chan expreexpressessses confidently. confidently.

‘‘Message [clause]’,Message [clause]’, SpeakerSpeaker expreexpress.ss.


Examples fromExamples from SinoramaSinorama In the aura of benign competition, In the aura of benign competition,

"for the last two years, the quality "for the last two years, the quality of Taiwan's products has seen a lot of Taiwan's products has seen a lot of progress,"of progress," expressesexpresses Otto LinOtto Lin, , former president of the Industrial former president of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, who Technology Research Institute, who has been invited to serve as a judge has been invited to serve as a judge in the National Product Awards for in the National Product Awards for the past two years.the past two years.

‘‘Message [clause]’,Message [clause]’, expressexpress Speaker.Speaker.


Examples fromExamples from SinoramaSinorama

Kuo Nan-hungKuo Nan-hung expressesexpresses thatthat those p those people usually are professors emeritueople usually are professors emeritus at universities. They are doing well, s at universities. They are doing well, and don't need any modification in tand don't need any modification in their lifestyle.heir lifestyle.

SpeakerSpeaker expressexpress Message [Message [thatthat-claus-clause]e]

Mapping of Mapping of expressexpress and and biaoshi4biaoshi4 表示表示Systematic sporadic examples fromSystematic sporadic examples from SiSi

noramanorama SpeakerSpeaker expressexpress,, ‘Message [clause].’‘Message [clause].’ ‘‘Message [clause]’Message [clause]’,, SpeakerSpeaker express.express. ‘‘Message [clause]’Message [clause]’,, expressexpress Speaker.Speaker. SpeakerSpeaker expressexpress Message [Message [thatthat-clause].-clause].

expressexpress saysay andand biaoshi biaoshi 表示表示 -sense 1-sense 1他他表示表示：「這樣的定位點不容易被取代。」：「這樣的定位點不容易被取代。」‘‘HeHe saidsaid, , “This kind of anchoring point is “This kind of anchoring point is

not easy not easy to be replaced.”to be replaced.”’’


Hypothesis III:Hypothesis III: (1) (1) Biaoshi Biaoshi 表示表示 is also polysemous, only is also polysemous, only sense 1 sense 1 and and sense 2sense 2 can be mapped to can be mapped to expressexpress..

(2) The low match rate results from (2) The low match rate results from a low a low frequencyfrequency of of sense 1sense 1 and and sense 2sense 2 in Sinoramain Sinorama..

Sense distribution of Sense distribution of biaoshibiaoshi 表示表示

in Sinoramain Sinorama Distribution Distribution

Sense Sense count count percentage percentage

sense 1 sense 1 1,743 1,743 95% 95%

sense 2 sense 2 43 43 2% 2% sense 3 sense 3 58 58 3% 3%

total total 1,843 1,843 100% 100%


Hypothesis II:Hypothesis II: (1) (1) Biaoshi Biaoshi 表示表示 is also polysemous, only is also polysemous, only sense 2sense 2 can be mapped to can be mapped to expressexpress..

(2) The systematic sporadic examples in(2) The systematic sporadic examples in Sinorama are Sinorama are anomalous exceptionsanomalous exceptions influenced by influenced by biaoshibiaoshi 表示表示 ..

Objects of predicate Objects of predicate expressexpress and and bbiaoshiiaoshi

Item Item

Object Object

typetype

BNCBNC

expressexpress

count count percentpercentageage

SententSentential ial object object

23 23 0.2% 0.2%

Other Other objectobject

11,9311,936 6 99.8% 99.8%

Total Total 11,9511,959 9 100.0% 100.0%

Sinica CorpusSinica Corpus bi biaoshiaoshi 表示表示

councount t


4,884,882 2 92.3% 92.3%

407 407 7.7% 7.7%

5,285,289 9 100.0% 100.0%

Objects of predicate Objects of predicate express express in BNCin BNC

Sentential objectsSentential objects** Speaker Speaker expressexpress,, ‘Message [clause].‘Message [clause].

’’ * * ‘Message [clause]’‘Message [clause]’,, SpeakerSpeaker express.express.* * ‘Message [clause]’‘Message [clause]’,, expressexpress Speaker.Speaker.? ? SpeakerSpeaker expressexpress Message [Message [thatthat-clause].-clause].

(0.06%, 7 out of 11,959 verbal tokens(0.06%, 7 out of 11,959 verbal tokens )) ExpressExpress does notdoes not map to map to biaoshi biaoshi 表示表示 --

sense 1sense 1..

ReflectionsReflections

Bilingual corpora may be influenced Bilingual corpora may be influenced by one of the languages and may not by one of the languages and may not reflect the other language truthfully.reflect the other language truthfully.

SaySay and and expressexpress belong to the same l belong to the same lexical frame (exical frame (StatementStatement in FrameNein FrameNett), and take the same kind of particip), and take the same kind of participant roles (ant roles (Speaker, Message, AddressSpeaker, Message, Addressee, Topic, Mediumee, Topic, Medium), but their syntact), but their syntactic behavior is ic behavior is by no means the same.by no means the same.

Nominal objectsNominal objects of predicate of predicate express express in BNC: Messagein BNC: Message

a.a. He He expressedexpressed a hope a hope thatthat we might meet ag we might meet again during the remaining two days of his staain during the remaining two days of his stay and have a longer conversation.y and have a longer conversation.

b.b. 各國領袖皆各國領袖皆表示表示希望戰爭儘快結束。希望戰爭儘快結束。 ge guo lingxiu jie ge guo lingxiu jie biaoshibiaoshi xiwang zhanzheng xiwang zhanzheng

jinkuai jieshu.jinkuai jieshu. ‘ ‘Each leader of the countries all Each leader of the countries all expressedexpressed

a hope that the war will end as soon as possia hope that the war will end as soon as possible.’ble.’

biaoshi biaoshi 表示表示 ++xiwangxiwang 希望 ‘希望 ‘ hope’hope’ （（ NN ）） ++appositive clauseappositive clause??

MessageMessage of predicate of predicate express express in BNCin BNC

c.c. ** 表示表示他們的希望他們的希望戰爭儘快結束戰爭儘快結束 **biaoshibiaoshi tamen de xiwangtamen de xiwang zhanzheng jinkuai jieshu zhanzheng jinkuai jieshu ‘ ‘express express their hopetheir hope that the war will end as soon as that the war will end as soon as possible’ possible’ d. d. 各國領袖皆各國領袖皆表示表示 (( 他們他們 )) 希望戰爭儘快結束。希望戰爭儘快結束。 ge guo lingxiu jie ge guo lingxiu jie biaoshibiaoshi (tamen)(tamen) xiwang zhanzheng xiwang zhanzheng jinkuai jieshu.jinkuai jieshu. ??‘Each leader of the countries all ‘Each leader of the countries all expressedexpressed that theythat they hope that the war will end as soon as possible.’hope that the war will end as soon as possible.’ biaoshi biaoshi 表示表示 +Message +Message [clause][clause] express express +Encoded Message +Encoded Message [NP] ([NP] (Message Message [[thatthat clause])clause])

TopicTopic of predicate of predicate express express in in BNCBNC

a.a. The Bulgarian authorities have The Bulgarian authorities have expressedexpressed conceconcern rn over over the Greek Electrical Company's programthe Greek Electrical Company's programme to dam the River Mestame to dam the River Mesta..

bb He He expressedexpressed concern concern thatthat the officials are und the officials are under considerable pressure.er considerable pressure.

c.c. ** 他他表示表示關心官員們壓力很大。關心官員們壓力很大。 * * ta ta biaoshibiaoshi guanxin guanyuanmen yali hen da. guanxin guanyuanmen yali hen da.d.d. 他他對對官員們的壓力很大官員們的壓力很大表表示示關心。關心。 ta ta duidui guanyuanmen de yali hen da guanyuanmen de yali hen da biaoshibiaoshi guanguan

xin.xin. ‘‘He He expressedexpressed concern concern aboutabout the great pressur the great pressur

e on e on the officials.’the officials.’

TopicTopic of predicate of predicate express express in BNC:in BNC:N and PN and P

concern concern overover//aboutabout, , surprise surprise atat, , belief belief inin, , commitment commitment toto, , view view onon,, etc. etc.

AddresseeAddressee of predicate of predicate express express in BNCin BNC

a.a. He He expressedexpressed toto some colleagues his nervousness. some colleagues his nervousness.b.b. 經理經理向向眾人眾人表示表示員工及投資人均是被害者。員工及投資人均是被害者。 jingli jingli xiangxiang zhongren zhongren biaoshibiaoshi yuangong ji touziren yuangong ji touziren

jun jun shi beihaizhe.shi beihaizhe. ‘ ‘The manager The manager expressedexpressed toto the public that the the public that the employers and investors were all victims.’employers and investors were all victims.’ SpeakerSpeaker askask//**expressexpress Addressee Addressee [NP][NP] Speaker Speaker **askask//expressexpress Addressee Addressee [[toto NP] NP] Words of the same frame Words of the same frame may notmay not behave the same. behave the same.

ActiveActive and and PassivePassive sentences sentences of predicate of predicate express express in BNCin BNC

Active: Active: 9,326 (78%)9,326 (78%) , passive , passive 2,633 (22%)2,633 (22%) a.a. ConcernConcern has beenhas been expressedexpressed about extending further the about extending further the Prime Minister’s powers of patronage.Prime Minister’s powers of patronage.b.b. DoubtDoubt waswas expressedexpressed that Richards could maintain the unit. that Richards could maintain the unit.c.c. That viewThat view, albeit qualified somewhat, , albeit qualified somewhat, was was also also expressedexpressed byby Ireland .Ireland .d.d. The EC Trade and Agriculture Ministers, meeting in Brussels The EC Trade and Agriculture Ministers, meeting in Brussels on Jan. 10-11, had restated on Jan. 10-11, had restated their reservationstheir reservations ( (expresseexpressedd at an at an earlier meeting on Dec. 23), saying that "insofar as theearlier meeting on Dec. 23), saying that "insofar as the Dunkel paper calls into question the foundation of theDunkel paper calls into question the foundation of the Communities' agricultural policy, the paper is not acceptable".Communities' agricultural policy, the paper is not acceptable".

ActiveActive and and PassivePassive sentences sentences in Mandarinin Mandarin

In Mandarin, passive sentences are hiIn Mandarin, passive sentences are highly marked (Chu 1973).ghly marked (Chu 1973).

action verbs: action verbs: da da 打 ‘打 ‘ beat’, beat’, mama 罵 ‘罵 ‘scold’scold’

a.a. 爸爸爸爸打打 // 罵罵他。他。 baba baba da/mada/ma ta. ta. ‘ ‘Father Father beat/scoldedbeat/scolded him.’ him.’ b.b. 他他被被爸爸爸爸打打 // 罵罵。。 ta ta beibei baba baba da/mada/ma.. ‘ ‘He He waswas beaten/scoldedbeaten/scolded by Father.’ by Father.’

ActiveActive and and PassivePassive sentences of sentences ofbiaoshi biaoshi 表示表示

a.a. 他他表示表示關心。關心。 ta ta biaoshibiaoshi guanxin. guanxin. ‘ ‘He He expressedexpressed concern.’ concern.’ b.b. ** 關心關心被被他他表示表示。。 guanxin guanxin beibei ta ta biaoshibiaoshi.. ‘ ‘**Concern Concern waswas expressedexpressed by him.’ by him.’

Infinitive objectsInfinitive objects of predicate of predicate express express in BNCin BNC

a.a. The purchaser of Caliban The purchaser of Caliban waswas expressedexpressed toto bebe Mr. Perot's son, Mr. Perot junior; at one s Mr. Perot's son, Mr. Perot junior; at one stage during the negotiation of the contract it tage during the negotiation of the contract it was suggested that Mr. Perot's daughters wowas suggested that Mr. Perot's daughters would be the purchasers.uld be the purchasers.

b.b. It will be in the landlord's interest to ensure It will be in the landlord's interest to ensure that all tenancies that all tenancies areare expressedexpressed toto expireexpire on on the same date.the same date.

highly restricted, in passives onlyhighly restricted, in passives only 0.5% (60 instances: 50 in legal and 10 in non-0.5% (60 instances: 50 in legal and 10 in non-

legal texts)legal texts) Some native speakers regard them as anomSome native speakers regard them as anom

alous exceptions.alous exceptions.

Core patterns of Core patterns of expressexpress

a.a. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress (Addressee (Addressee [[toto NP]NP]) Encoded Message ) Encoded Message [NP][NP] (Topic (Topic [PP][PP]).).

b.b. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress Encoded Encoded Message Message [NP][NP] (Message (Message [[thatthat--clause]).clause]).

c.c. Speaker Speaker [NP][NP] expressexpress Message Message [[whywhy--clause/clause/howhow-clause].-clause].

d.d. Encoded Message Encoded Message [NP][NP] bebe expressedexpressed (Addressee (Addressee [[toto NP] NP]) ( Speaker ) ( Speaker [[byby NP]NP]) (Message ) (Message [[thatthat-clause]-clause]).).

Reflections and conclusionReflections and conclusion

From a pedagogical point of view, most From a pedagogical point of view, most online dictionaries and thesauri do not online dictionaries and thesauri do not provide adequate information about provide adequate information about lexical items.lexical items.

Bilingual corpora may not faithfully Bilingual corpora may not faithfully reflect both languages. reflect both languages.

Learners should be carefully guided when Learners should be carefully guided when using a bilingual corpus as an aid, though using a bilingual corpus as an aid, though it may be a useful tool in learning the it may be a useful tool in learning the common core uses of a target language. common core uses of a target language.

It cannot be taken for granted that a It cannot be taken for granted that a pedagogical goal can be achieved pedagogical goal can be achieved successfully using the current online successfully using the current online resource aids.resource aids.


To meet pedagogical needs, the To meet pedagogical needs, the followings are needed:followings are needed:

Information related to the frequency of a Information related to the frequency of a target lexical item and its collocated target lexical item and its collocated patternspatterns

Role internal grammatical typesRole internal grammatical types Common marked patterns, e.g. passive Common marked patterns, e.g. passive

sentences and active sentences with N sentences and active sentences with N thatthat-clause objects.-clause objects.

Similarities and differences between Similarities and differences between English and Mandarin, i.e. positive input English and Mandarin, i.e. positive input as well as negative inputas well as negative input


The use of The use of corporacorpora does does encourage a keener encourage a keener understanding of lexical nuance, understanding of lexical nuance, and learners are less likely to and learners are less likely to blindly use the most obvious blindly use the most obvious second language equivalent to second language equivalent to the word they have in mind, when the word they have in mind, when they have access to such they have access to such resourcesresources..

Thank you!Thank you!

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How to express ‘ express ’ ? – Pedagogical reflections from web resources Yiching Wu Yiching...

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