A comparison of syntactic representation and processing in first and second language production
In this thesis I present an empirical investigation into L1 and L2 syntax, using syntactic priming (Bock, 1986). I address whether syntactic representations are similar in L1 and L2 speakers, looking at structures that differ in terms of both functional (i.e., grammatical role assignment) and positional (i.e., linear word order) properties. I explore whether these representations are processed in a similar way across L1 and L2 groups, and what effect syntactic structures in the learnersâ L1 have on L2 processing. Finally, I look at the extent to which L1 and L2 syntactic information is associated with specific lexical items. Experiments 1 and 2 showed priming of active vs. passive structures in both L1 and L2 (L1-English) speakers of Spanish at two different proficiency levels; L2 speakers showing stronger overall priming than L1 speakers, irrespective of proficiency. In all participants priming was stronger when the verb was repeated across prime and target. Experiment 3 showed priming of English dative structures in L1 and L2 speakers and demonstrated that when structures are equally acceptable for native speakers L1 and L2 groups show similar priming magnitude, even when a structure is absent in the learnersâ
Flett, Susanna
A comparison of syntactic representation and processing in first and second language production. In this thesis I present an empirical investigation into L1 and L2 syntax, using syntactic priming (Bock, 1986). I address whether syntactic representations are similar in L1 and L2 speakers, looking at structures that differ in terms of both functional (i.e., grammatical role assignment) and positional (i.e., linear word order) properties. I explore whether these representations are processed in a similar way across L1 and L2 groups, and what effect syntactic structures in the learnersâ L1 have on L2 processing. Finally, I look at the extent to which L1 and L2 syntactic information is associated with specific lexical items. Experiments 1 and 2 showed priming of active vs. passive structures in both L1 and L2 (L1-English) speakers of Spanish at two different proficiency levels; L2 speakers showing stronger overall priming than L1 speakers, irrespective of proficiency. In all participants priming was stronger when the verb was repeated across prime and target. Experiment 3 showed priming of English dative structures in L1 and L2 speakers and demonstrated that when structures are equally acceptable for native speakers L1 and L2 groups show similar priming magnitude, even when a structure is absent in the learnersâ
comparison syntactic_representation processing first_second language_production present_empirical investigation syntax use syntactic_priming address_whether syntactic_representation similar speaker look structure differ term functional grammatical role assignment positional linear word_order property explore_whether representation process similar way across group effect syntactic_structure learner processing finally look extent syntactic_information associate specific lexical_item show prim active passive structure english_speaker spanish two_different proficiency_level speaker show_strong overall priming speaker irrespective proficiency participant prim strong verb repeat across prime target show prim english dative structure speaker demonstrate structure equally acceptable native_speaker group show similar priming magnitude even structure absent learner