A feature-based approach to the acquisition of L2 Chinese negation by L1-English and L1-Korean learners

• Jia Wang ^[1] ; Yuet Hung Cecilia Chan ^[2]
  1. [1] Nanjing University

     Nanjing University

     China

     
  2. [2] City University of Hong Kong

     City University of Hong Kong

     RAE de Hong Kong (China)

     
• Localización: Lingua: International review of general linguistics, ISSN 0024-3841, Nº 252, 2021
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The present study investigates the acquisition of the [±realis] features encoded in Chinese negation by L1-English and L1-Korean learners through the framework of the Feature Reassembly Hypothesis. Two modes of grammaticality judgment tests (written and aural) were administered to 90 L1-English and 92 L1-Korean learners ranging from elementary to advanced Chinese proficiency levels, along with 15 native controls. Our study's findings in general support the proposals of the Feature Reassembly Hypothesis. The results indicate that L2 learners with lower Chinese proficiency tend to correspond their L1 features encoded in negation with similar L2 items, leading to target-deviant performances at the early stages of learning. L1-English and L1-Korean learners with increased Chinese proficiency assemble the [+realis] and [−realis] features with mei and bu, respectively. However, they face difficulties in identifying the [±realis] features represented in certain licensing contexts. Based on the results, we argue that the Feature Reassembly Hypothesis is strengthened when variables that constrain feature detectability and reassembly, such as L1 influence, L2 proficiency, input frequency and consistency, and task modality, are considered.