Real-Time and Contextual Use of Language by Second Language Speakers

2018 ◽  
pp. 191-221
2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Roberts

In this article, a survey of current psycholinguistic techniques relevant to second language acquisition (SLA) research is presented. I summarize many of the available methods and discuss their use with particular reference to two critical questions in current SLA research: (1) What does a learner’s current knowledge of the second language (L2) look like?; (2) How do learners process the L2 in real time? The aim is to show how psycholinguistic techniques that capture real-time (online) processing can elucidate such questions; to suggest methods best suited to particular research topics, and types of participants; and to offer practical information on the setting up of a psycholinguistics laboratory.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-55
Author(s):  
Nor Zulaiqha Rosli ◽  
Nur Farahkhanna Mohd Rusli ◽  
Norfaizah Abdul Jobar ◽  
Norazimah Zakaria

The acquisition of Malay as a second language, either verbally or non verbally among the non-Malay students, is still in question. It is observed that the problems of pronunciation is still prevalent among the non-Malay students. Hence, the objectives of this study are twofold; (i) to identify the level of proficiency of the speaking skill of Malay language among Chinese students, and (ii) to analyse the errors made in the speaking skill of Malay language by Chinese students based on contrastive analysis theory. The respondents were 27 Chinese Form 1 students in SMK Ampang Pecah, Kuala Kubu Baharu, Selangor. The initial design of the study was spurred by library research and observation. The instruments used in data collection included notebooks, questionnaire, recorder and texts for speech test. The data were analyzed by contrastive analysis theory by Robert Lado (1957). The findings showed that there were four aspects of pronunciation errors related consonants produced by the respondents. They were (i) sound replacement, (ii) sound addition, (iii) sound abortion, (iv) and grammatical errors. This study also shows that the pronunciation errors were due to the influence of their native language, which is Mandarin language, and the interlingual factors of the respondents that have caused them to be weak in the mastery of Malay language. In terms of implication, this study provides some understanding on the importance of mastering oral speech in Malay language through appropriate grammatical usage and pronunciation , especially among the second language speakers of Malay.


2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-256
Author(s):  
Holger Hopp

Second language (L2) sentence processing research studies how adult L2 learners understand sentences in real time. I review how L2 sentence processing differs from monolingual first-language (L1) processing and outline major findings and approaches. Three interacting factors appear to mandate L1–L2 differences: ( a) capacity restrictions in the ability to integrate information in an L2; ( b) L1–L2 differences in the weighting of cues, the timing of their application, and the efficiency of their retrieval; and ( c) variation in the utility functions of predictive processing. Against this backdrop, I outline a novel paradigm of interlanguage processing, which examines bilingual features of L2 processing, such as bilingual language systems, nonselective access to all grammars, and processing to learn an L2. Interlanguage processing goes beyond the traditional framing of L2 sentence processing as an incomplete form of monolingual processing and reconnects the field with current approaches to grammar acquisition and the bilingual mental lexicon.


2021 ◽  
pp. 136700692110369
Author(s):  
Ksenia Gnevsheva ◽  
Anita Szakay ◽  
Sandra Jansen

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: How does second dialect acquisition in a second language compare to that in a first language in terms of rates and predictors of second dialect vocabulary use? Design/methodology/approach: A lexical preference task was completed by four groups of participants residing in Australia: first language speakers of Australian (L1D1) and American (L1D2) English, and first language speakers of Russian who acquired Australian (L2D1) and American (L2D2) English first. The participants named objects which are denoted by different words in American and Australian English (e.g. bell pepper vs capsicum). Data and analysis: The response was coded as either American or Australian, and percentage of use of Australian items was calculated for each group. Findings/conclusions: L1D1 used Australian words the most and L1D2 the least. L2D1 and L2D2 fell between the two L1 groups. L1D2 rate of use was predicted by proportion of life spent in Australia. L2D1 were more likely to choose Australian words if they had lived in Australia longer and had positive attitudes toward Australia. L2D2 were less likely to use Australian words the longer they had lived in the USA. Similar, but not identical, factors predict second dialect acquisition in the first and second languages. Originality: The research is innovative in considering second dialect acquisition in second language speakers and creates a bridge between second language and second dialect acquisition research. Significance/implications: The finding that second language speakers may be more flexible in second dialect acquisition than first language speakers has important implications for our understanding of cognitive and social constraints on acquisition.


Author(s):  
Louise Tranekjær

The article demonstrates how the combination of discursive psychology and conversation analysis enables an examination of culture as a product of discursive processes which are influenced and permeated by a broader social, discursive and cultural context. In this way an understanding is presented of cultural encounters as something which is not only determined by the background of the participants but is a product of interaction and the resources used in the negotiation of meaning and identity. The article is based on research of internship interviews, that is, interactions between Danish employers and adult second language speakers seeking an internship placement. Through examples from these interviews, it is argued that culture can be analyzed by combining a micro-perspective on the negotiation and organization of meaning in interaction with a macro-perspective on interactions as a manifestation of a broader social, discursive and cultural practice and organization.


Author(s):  
Nancy D Bell

AbstractHumor can often carry an implicit negative message and thus be potentially dangerous to use. In addition, it is culturally and linguistically complex and sophisticated. Because of these things, it poses a challenge for L2 (second language) speakers and we might expect to see attempts at humor failing and causing offense in intercultural interaction. This paper reports on a study that examined humor in interaction between native and non-native speakers of English and found that humor did not seem to be a cause of conflict because of adjustments speakers made to their speech and their situated interpretations of meaning. In general, taboo topics and potentially dangerous forms of humor were avoided and humor was carefully contextualized. Native speakers reported being careful about the vocabulary they used in creating humor and both sides appeared to approach humor in intercultural communication prepared to accommodate the other and with an attitude of leniency.


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