ERIC Number: EJ1061384
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jun
Pages: 32
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0023-8333
EISSN: N/A
The Detection and Primed Production of Novel Constructions
McDonough, Kim; Fulga, Angelica
Language Learning, v65 n2 p326-357 Jun 2015
Situated within second language (L2) research about the acquisition of morphosyntax, this study investigated English L2 speakers' detection and primed production of a novel construction with morphological and structural features. We report on two experiments with Thai (n = 69) and Farsi (n = 70) English L2 speakers, respectively, carried out an aural construction learning task that provided low type-frequency input with the transitive construction in Esperanto--which is marked by accusative case marking (-n) and flexible word order (subject-verb-object and object-verb-subject)--followed by aural comprehension tests and a priming activity (20 primes and 20 prompts). Results of the aural comprehension tests showed that 23% of the Thai participants (16/69) and 50% of the Farsi participants (35/70) detected the target construction in the input. Results of the primed production task revealed that only those participants who detected the target construction were able to be primed. The findings are discussed in relation to the role of speakers' previously learned languages in the detection and primed production of novel constructions.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Sentence Structure, Language Research, English (Second Language), Linguistic Input, Priming, Morphology (Languages), Listening Comprehension Tests, Indo European Languages, Syntax, Thai, Grammar, Task Analysis, Artificial Languages, Native Language
Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2429/WileyCDA
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A