Prototype Theory and College English Vocabulary Teaching

Prototype theory is evolved from the criticism of binary division of Greek Classic Category theory. It is a new approach of analyzing the meaning and constructing concepts under the circumstance of the development of anthropology and cognitive psychology. Based on linguistic theory and under the guidance of prototype theory, the present thesis probes into the teaching methods of college English vocabulary with the concrete teaching practice - building a vocabulary net work centered on the core vocabulary; making clear the semantic change and motivation of polysemy; cultivating students' metaphoric sense.