A Multidimensional Analysis of the Register of Academic English in Forestry: A Corpus-Based Study and Its Implications for Teaching
College of Foreign Languages, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| Abstract: | This study employs a corpus-based multidimensional analysis approach to systematically investigate the register of academic English in forestry, aiming to reveal its linguistic features and explore the implications for EAP teaching. Based on a self-compiled corpus of SCI papers in forestry, linguistic features were extracted using the MAT tool, and the dimension scores of the five primary dimensions were analyzed and compared with those of a General English corpus. The results indicate that forestry academic English exhibits features of high informational density, non-narrativity, explicit reference, low persuasive intent, and abstractness, overall aligning closely with an “Learned Exposition” style. Z-score analysis highlights overused features (e.g., PHC, SERE, NN) and underused features (e.g., RB, TPP3), emphasizing objectivity and informational density, which contrasts with the balanced nature of General English. These features reflect the specialized nature of the forestry register. Pedagogical implications include adjusting learning objectives to focus on professional expression, integrating corpus-driven content, utilizing tools like MAT and AI to analyze student writing, and quantitatively assessing dimension scores to facilitate learners’ transition and enhance their capabilities in international academic communication. |
| Keywords: | Multidimensional Analysis; Forestry Academic English; Corpus; EAP Teaching |
| DOI: | 10.57237/j.ssrf.2025.05.001 |
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Received: 11 September 2025
Accepted: 5 October 2025
Published Online: 27 October 2025
Funding
| 1. | 湖南省教育厅优秀青年项目“林学英文学术论文语域的多维研究” (编号: 22B0236) |
| 2. | 湖南省社会科学基金外语科研联合项目“中外作者林学英文学术论文语体对比研究” (编号: 22WLH11) |
| 3. | 校级教改课题“课程思政视角下英语专业读写实践课程教学路径创新研究” |
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