Missing words and missing definitions : NL Arabic speakers' use of EFL dictionaries
Research into EFL learner dictionary use is receiving increasing attention. Most studies, however, focus on learners' reference needs. Only a few studies concern learners' productive use of dictionaries. Thus, we know very little about learners' reference skills and the reasons behind their difficulties in using dictionaries. The scarcity of empirical data about learners' actual use of dictionaries prompts this research. This thesis is an empirical examination of Arabic-speaking learners' actual use of EFL dictionaries for comprehension and production. It endeavours to uncover the root causes of their difficulties in dealing with EFL dictionaries. The thesis begins with a replication of BĂ©joint's (1981) questionnaire to ascertain whether Arab learners encounter the same problems as others. Three issues are raised: 'missing words', strategies for looking up 'compounds', and 'problematic definitions'. Two studies are carried out to investigate 'missing words'. Problems with missing words are attributed to candidates' apparent failure to locate certain meanings of polysemes, to find compound nouns and to searching for specialised words. Three studies are conducted to investigate strategies for looking up 'compounds'.
Alzi'abi, Safi Eldeen
Missing words and missing definitions : NL Arabic speakers' use of EFL dictionaries. Research into EFL learner dictionary use is receiving increasing attention. Most studies, however, focus on learners' reference needs. Only a few studies concern learners' productive use of dictionaries. Thus, we know very little about learners' reference skills and the reasons behind their difficulties in using dictionaries. The scarcity of empirical data about learners' actual use of dictionaries prompts this research. This thesis is an empirical examination of Arabic-speaking learners' actual use of EFL dictionaries for comprehension and production. It endeavours to uncover the root causes of their difficulties in dealing with EFL dictionaries. The thesis begins with a replication of BĂ©joint's (1981) questionnaire to ascertain whether Arab learners encounter the same problems as others. Three issues are raised: 'missing words', strategies for looking up 'compounds', and 'problematic definitions'. Two studies are carried out to investigate 'missing words'. Problems with missing words are attributed to candidates' apparent failure to locate certain meanings of polysemes, to find compound nouns and to searching for specialised words. Three studies are conducted to investigate strategies for looking up 'compounds'.
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