A Study on the Use of Relative Clause in the Academic Writing of Taiwanese Graduate Students

• Main Authors: Chiao-Chu Tsou, 鄒巧筑
• Other Authors: Michael Tanangkingsing
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/29sq4h

碩士 === 國立臺北科技大學 === 應用英文系碩士班 === 105 === The relative clause (RC) is one of the most widely used constructions in both spoken and written English, but also one of the most difficult for language learners to acquire. While previous studies have investigated Taiwanese English learners’ acquisition and application of English RCs, few have done so in the specific context of English for academic purposes (EAP). Accordingly, the current study analyzes the usage of English RCs in Taiwanese MA theses, and compares such usage to that in published Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) journal articles. Quantitative analysis was conducted to investigate the preferences of and differences between these two groups, and qualitative analysis to investigate the RC usage patterns in the MA theses. The results indicated that, as compared to the reference corpus, Taiwanese graduate students underused the RC. In the reference corpus, the relative pronoun that had the highest frequency, followed by which and who, whereas in the Taiwanese corpus, the relative frequency of that and which was reversed. Taiwanese graduate students exhibited a preference for applying who in their Methodology sections, and seldom applied it to the author(s) of prior studies. They also appeared to have difficulty with the correct use of restrictive RCs (RRCs), non-restrictive RCs (NRRCs), and center-embedded RCs. The present study’s findings support those of Kuno (1974), Keenan and Comrie (1977), and – partially – Hamilton (1994). It recommends that Taiwanese EAP instructors provide more focus on RRCs, NRRCs, and center-embedded RCs, using examples with various relative pronouns from professional academic writing.