Abstract

Texts are speech works and the basic units of valid communication. Text linguistics is one of the social sciences that aims at either text structure or the contents of texts. Cohesion, as the most important among the seven standards of texts, is of vital significance for texts. Generally cohesion is classified into two categories: grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion. Lexical cohesion contains reiteration(repetition, synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy) and collocation. These means of lexical cohesion utilized into texts are able to deepen the theme and achieve coherence.

This paper is based on Halliday and Hasan’s lexical cohesion theory, adopting Hoey’s lexical repetition theory as a complement. Choosing the text Ships in the Desert in Advanced English textbook complied by Zhang Hanxi and Wang Lili as the target text, this paper analyzes various means of cohesion, including repetition, synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy and collocation. 33 samples, presented as connected graphs or tables, are shown in this paper so that readers can intuitively understand research results.

Taking one of the texts in the Advanced English for study, this paper is aimed at attracting the attention of English learners and teachers, especially those English majors, to help them develop an analysis from the perspective of text linguistics and an appreciation for kinds of lexical cohesion phenomena. Hence this paper can enhance the competence of textual reading, enrich English language expressing skill, and ultimately let them apply lexical cohesion theory into English learning and teaching.

Key Words: lexical cohesion; Ships in the Desert; Advanced English

Contents

摘要

Abstract

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Significance of the Study-2

1.3 Studies Home and Abroad-2

1.3.1 Studies on Lexical Cohesion Abroad-2

1.3.2 Studies on Lexical Cohesion in China-3

1.4 Data Collection-4

Chapter 2 Literature Review-5

2.1 Text-5

2.2 Cohesion-5

2.2.1 Cohesion and Coherence-5

2.2.2 Grammatical Cohesion and Lexical Cohesion-6

2.3 Studies on Ships in the Desert-7

2.3.1 Theme of Ships in the Desert-7

2.3.2 Structure of Ships in the Desert-7

Chapter 3 Theoretical Foundation-8

3.1 Halliday and Hasan’s Lexical Cohesion Theory-8

3.1.1 Repetition-8

3.1.2 Synonymy-8

3.1.3 Antonymy-8

3.1.4 Hyponymy-8

3.1.5 General Nouns-9

3.1.6 Collocation-9

3.2 Hoey’s Lexical Cohesion Theory-9

3.2.1 Simple Repetition-9

3.2.2 Complex repetition-9

3.2.3 Simple Paraphrase-10

3.2.4 Complex Paraphrase-10

Chapter 4 On Lexical Cohesion in Ships in the Desert-11

4.1 On Lexical Cohesion in Part I-11

4.1.1 Image of Ships in the Desert-11

4.1.2 Environmental Changes in Antarctica, Arctic and the Equator-13

4.2 On Lexical Cohesion in Part II-16

4.3 On Lexical Cohesion in Part III-17

4.4 On Lexical Cohesion in Part IV-20

4.5 On Lexical Cohesion in Part V-22

4.6 Summary-25

Chapter 5 Functions and Application of Lexical Cohesion-26

5.1 Functions of Lexical Cohesion-26

5.2 Application of Lexical Cohesion to English Textual Teaching and Learning-26

Chapter 6 Conclusion-28

References-29