The Implications of Cognitive Linguistics for English Vocabulary Teaching in Primary and Middle Schools from the Perspective of Basic Category Theory

Abstract

Vocabulary teaching is an essential element of English teaching in middle schools and occupies a large proportion of the current English textbooks for primary and middle schools in China, but there are many problems with its vocabulary teaching. Basic category theory suggests that the process by which people develop an understanding of vocabulary formation and meaning is based on the perception of basic categories and their related relationships. This theory provides teachers with a new way of thinking about vocabulary teaching. Teaching vocabulary within the framework of basic category theory can help students grasp the scientific principles, philosophical views and cultural connotations embedded in English vocabulary, thus effectively improving their language ability and humanistic literacy.