摘要:
This study investigates the use of multiword constructions in published and student research articles in mechanical engineering and manufacturing (ME), a discipline characterized by a large population of second language users of English and a paucity of academic writing guidance for apprentice writers. Using the pattern grammar-based approach to constructions, a wide range of multiword constructions are examined from four perspectives: grammar patterns, key lexical components of grammar patterns, multiword constructions (operationalized as grammar pattern-meaning pairings) and construction-rhetorical function associations. This approach provides a complementary perspective to existing phraseological constructs, effectively extends the scope of construction grammar research, and reveals certain form-function associations in academic written *** on a corpus of published research articles and a corpus of student research articles in ME, the study compiles a genre- and discipline-specific list of commonly-used grammar patterns with words most strongly associated with the patterns, makes a comparative analysis of the use of multiword constructions in published and student research articles, and explores the variations in the use of multiword constructions across English as a first language (L1-English), English as a second language (ESL) and English as a foreign language (EFL) graduate students. The effects of token frequency, rhetorical strategy and language acquisition context on the use of multiword constructions in academic writing are discussed. Pedagogical applications, methodological values and the development of academic English constructicon are also considered.