Al-Maani, Alaa, Sloggett, Shayne, Grillo, Nino orcid.org/0000-0002-8224-365X et al. (1 more author) (2024) Testing for Proficiency Effects and Crosslinguistic Influence in L2 Processing:Filler-Gap Dependencies in L2 English by Jordanian-Arabic and Mandarin Speakers. Studies in Second Language Acquisition. ISSN 1470-1545
Abstract
This study expands on previous research into filler-gap dependency processing in second language (L2) English, by means of a replication of Canales’s (2012) self-paced reading study. Canales, among others, found that advanced L2-English speakers exhibited the same processing behaviour that Stowe (1986) found for native English processing: on encountering a filler, they posited gaps in licensed positions and avoided positing gaps in grammatically unlicensed island positions. However, the previous L2 studies focused on advanced-level L2 proficiency and did not test specifically for first language (L1) influence. The present study compares two groups of intermediate-level L2-English speakers with contrasting non-wh-movement L1s, Jordanian Arabic and Mandarin, to investigate the effects of L1 influence and individual differences in proficiency. Our results provide evidence that at intermediate level, too, L2 filler-gap processing adheres to grammatical constraints. L1 did not affect this behaviour, but proficiency effects emerged, with larger licensed filled-gap effects at higher proficiency.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s), 2024 |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Arts and Humanities (York) > Language and Linguistic Science (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 20 Nov 2023 16:50 |
Last Modified: | 21 Jan 2025 18:10 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1017/S027226312400007X |
Status: | Published online |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1017/S027226312400007X |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:205509 |
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Description: Testing for proficiency effects and crosslinguistic influence in L2 processing: filler-gap dependencies in L2 English by Jordanian-Arabic and Mandarin speakers
Licence: CC-BY 2.5