An Analysis of the Idioms Used in the Authorized Versions of Native Languages in Elementary Schools

• Main Author: 王月鳳
• Other Authors: 簡翠貞
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15798147824194998083

碩士 === 國立新竹教育大學 === 進修部語文教學碩士班 === 93 === This study is designed to analyze the idioms used in the authorized versions of native languages in elementary schools. The purposes of this study are stated as follows: first, I want to get an understanding of the usage of the idioms in the authorized versions of native languages in elementary schools; second, the frequency and amount of these idioms will be calculated; third, on the basis of the classification of these idioms, the research fruits as well as suggestions will be advanced as primary references for language teaches in selecting reference books. The analysis can also be used as references in correcting the teaching outlines of the nine-year curriculum. Besides, this analysis is helpful for the editors of the textbooks. So, it is expected that my paper will contribute to our country’s language education. This study targets the authorized versions of language books issued by local publishing companies in the 2004 school year. The scope of the study ranges from the first grade to the sixth grade. These publishing companies are listed as follows: Kang Hsuan Culture Enterprise Ltd. Co. (abbreviation, Kang Hsuan version), Nani Bookstore Enterprise Ltd. Co. (abbreviation, Nani version), Hanlin Publishing Enterprise Ltd. Co. (abbreviation, Hanlin version), Jenlin Culture Publishing Enterprise Ltd. Co. (abbreviation, Jenlin version). Totally speaking, the number of reference books published by these bookstores is 48. This study analyzes the contents of these reference books, especially the part of idioms. The scope is confined to the texts and exercises, excluding the parts of teaching guidelines and practices. The idioms researched in this study are all included in The Dictionary of Idioms by Miao Tien-hua. The exceptions are defined as four character phrases. And based on A Useful Dictionary of Classified Idioms by Chen Chun-chen, these idioms listed in my research paper are classified and listed by means of statistics. All of this serves as references for teachers. Traditional curriculum criteria and current Grade 1-9 Curriculum Guidelines lines are both unable to define idioms strictly. Yet idioms play an essential part in language teaching, serving as the treasure of Chinese culture. So we are supposed to teach them to the next generation, using textbook effectively for the benefit of their learning. Hopefully, they can accurately take advantage of these useful idioms. According to this study, the numbers of idioms appearing in the respective textbooks are shown as follows: 86 in Kang Hsuan version; 89 in Nani version; 107 in Nani version; 107 in Hanlin version; 69 in Jenlin version. Among these idioms in respective versions, 62 ones are commonly used. And these idioms can be divided into 39 kinds—determination, numbering, achievement, living and traffic, social, mood, distinguishing, responses, diligence and laziness, teaching, celebration, language, festivals, attitudes, morality, preference, intelligence and stupidity, four ethics, thinking, skillfulness, evil, finance, naming, mixture, literature, change, fenshui, fortune and misfortune, weather, poverty and thrifty, landscape, emotion, desire, military, physical appearance, life, self discipline, hate, and other kinds. According to the statistics, the number of the idioms for describing landscape is the greatest. The idioms related to numbers are most frequently used. Moreover, the idioms associated with daily life are most easily understood. The principles for the appearing of the idioms in the language textbooks are stated below: 1. from easiness to difficulty 2. from simplicity to complex 3. from concrete to abstract 4. in accordance with the developing stages of the pupils. It is found in this study that there is not any idiom in the textbooks for first grade students. Hopefully, this can be improved. And it is suggested that the amount of the idioms can be increased with the grades. The teachers are advised to take into account the usage and application of the idioms in selecting the textbooks. While teaching the language textbooks, they are supposed to acquaint the pupils with idioms. In addition, the pupils should be encouraged to have more outside reading for the benefit of skillfully employing the idioms. Considering the capability of each grader, this study compiles groups of idioms for the usage of students of different levels. Fourteen scholars and specialists are invited to design questionnaires, to analyze and sort out the idioms suitable for the students of different levels in order to benefit the instructors and professional editors. Furthermore, this study is expected to be used as references for gauging the basic language abilities of pupils, contributing to their idiom learning. Key Words: language field, native language, authorized version, idiom, the index of idiom capability, textbook, idiom teaching, idioms for pupils, idioms of authorized versions, the principles for the selection of idioms in authorized versions