What is difficult in second language acquisition of syntax

Authors

  • Jiaojiao Yao Center of Linguistics, University of Lisbon, Portugal Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36505/ExLing-2021/12/0064/000537

Keywords:

second language acquisition, syntax, resultative, Chinese, Portuguese

Abstract

This study investigates the second language (L2) acquisition of Chinese Causative Resultative V-Vs (CR V-Vs) by Portuguese-speaking learners through a Semi-Inducted Production Task (SPT) and a Grammaticality Judgment Task (GJT). While the results of the SPT indicate a proficiency effect in the CR V-V production, the results of the GJT are somewhat mixed. Some CR V-V constraints have been successfully acquired by L2 learners at least from the intermediate level, but others remain difficult even for advanced learners. The results show that with more L2 exposure, parameters may be reset by L2 learners, but successful L2 acquisition requires more than that. The bottleneck is beyond the parameter resetting.

References

Lardiere, D. 2008. Feature assembly in second language acquisition. In Liceras, J., Zobl, H., Goodluck, H. (eds.) 2008, The Role of Formal Features in Second Language Acquisition, 106–140. New York, Lawrence Erlbaum.

Lardiere, D. 2009. Some thoughts on the contrastive analysis of features in second language acquisition. Second Language Research 25(2), 173–227.

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Published

01-01-2021

How to Cite

What is difficult in second language acquisition of syntax. (2021). Linguistic Proceedings Series, 12(1), 253-256. https://doi.org/10.36505/ExLing-2021/12/0064/000537

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