Interpretation of count and mass NPs by L2-learners from generalized classifier L1s

Sea Hee Choi; Yeqiu Zhu; Tania Ionin

doi:10.1075/lald.63.13cho

Interpretation of count and mass NPs by L2-learners from generalized classifier L1s

Sea Hee Choi, Yeqiu Zhu, Tania Ionin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

This study investigates whether L2-learners from generalized classifier (GC) languages (Korean and Chinese) can acquire the count/mass distinction of English, in the domain of singular NP interpretation. We hypothesize that L1- Korean/Chinese L2-English learners transfer the properties of NP interpretation from their L1 to their L2. This hypothesis was tested using a Picture-Matching Task (PMT). To confirm the L1-transfer effect, Korean and Chinese versions of the experiment were also administered. The results of the English study show that L1-Korean/Chinese L2-English learners were target-like with count NPs, but allowed object-readings of mass NPs more than English NSs. The results of the Korean and Chinese experiment versions provide possible evidence that the pattern of results obtained for L2-English is due to L1-transfer from Korean/Chinese.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Three Streams of Generative Language Acquisition Research
Editors	Tania Ionin, Matthew Rispoli
Publisher	John Benjamins Publishing Company
Pages	253-269
Number of pages	17
ISBN (Electronic)	9789027202246
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1075/lald.63.13cho
State	Published - 2019

Publication series

Name	Language Acquisition and Language Disorders
Volume	63
ISSN (Print)	0925-0123

Keywords

Count nouns
English
Korean
L1-transfer
Mandarin Chinese
Mass nouns
Mass/count distinction
NP interpretation
Syntax/semantics mappings

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Developmental and Educational Psychology
Linguistics and Language
Speech and Hearing

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10.1075/lald.63.13cho

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Interpretation of count and mass NPs by L2-learners from generalized classifier L1s. / Choi, Sea Hee; Zhu, Yeqiu; Ionin, Tania.
Three Streams of Generative Language Acquisition Research. ed. / Tania Ionin; Matthew Rispoli. John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2019. p. 253-269 (Language Acquisition and Language Disorders; Vol. 63).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

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Interpretation of count and mass NPs by L2-learners from generalized classifier L1s

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Online availability

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