Variability in second language article production : a comparison of L1 Thai and L1 French learners of L2 English
This thesis explores variability in second language (L2) production of English articles by speakers whose first language (Ll) is Thai (-articles), and compares it with proficiency-matched learners whose Ll is French (+articles). The thesis addresses a current debate on whether variability in production of second language functional morphology stems from representational deficits or from processing problems in production. The investigation of L2 article production was focused on tightly defined pairs of contexts for which different theoretical positions would predict different learner behaviours. Experiments were designed which measured the level of article omissions (a) in adjectivally premodified noun phrases (Art + Adj + N) vs. non-modified phrases (Art + N), (b) with first vs. second mention definite referents, and (c) with more vs. less attended (less salient) referents. A further study explored article substitution errors, in particular the alleged overuse of the indefinite article in [+definite; -specific] contexts and the definite article in [-definite; +specific] contexts. Results suggest that Ll Thai learners of L2 English, but not Ll French learners of L2 English, omit articles more (a) in adjectivally
Pongpairoj, Nattama
Variability in second language article production : a comparison of L1 Thai and L1 French learners of L2 English. This thesis explores variability in second language (L2) production of English articles by speakers whose first language (Ll) is Thai (-articles), and compares it with proficiency-matched learners whose Ll is French (+articles). The thesis addresses a current debate on whether variability in production of second language functional morphology stems from representational deficits or from processing problems in production. The investigation of L2 article production was focused on tightly defined pairs of contexts for which different theoretical positions would predict different learner behaviours. Experiments were designed which measured the level of article omissions (a) in adjectivally premodified noun phrases (Art + Adj + N) vs. non-modified phrases (Art + N), (b) with first vs. second mention definite referents, and (c) with more vs. less attended (less salient) referents. A further study explored article substitution errors, in particular the alleged overuse of the indefinite article in [+definite; -specific] contexts and the definite article in [-definite; +specific] contexts. Results suggest that Ll Thai learners of L2 English, but not Ll French learners of L2 English, omit articles more (a) in adjectivally
variability second_language article production comparison thai french learner_english explores variability second_language production english article speaker whose first_language thai articles compare proficiency matched learner whose french articles address current_debate whether variability production second_language functional morphology stem representational deficit process problem production investigation article production focus tightly define pair contexts different theoretical_position would predict different learner behaviour design measure level article omission noun_phrase art non modified phrase art first second mention definite referent less attend less salient referent study_explore article substitution error particular allege indefinite article definite specific_context definite_article definite specific_context suggest thai learner english_french learner_english omit article