LINGUIST List 24.145
Thu Jan 10 2013
Diss: Language Acquisition/ Czech: Vanek: 'A Linguistic Analysis of Event Conceptualisation Processes in First and Second Language Discourse'
Editor for this issue: Lili Xia
<lxialinguistlist.org>
Date: 09-Jan-2013
From: Norbert Vanek <norbert.vanek
gmail.com>
Subject: A Linguistic Analysis of Event Conceptualisation Processes in First and Second Language Discourse
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Institution: Cambridge University
Program: PhD in English and Applied Linguistics
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 2013
Author: Norbert Vanek
Dissertation Title: A Linguistic Analysis of Event Conceptualisation Processes in First and Second Language Discourse
Linguistic Field(s):
Language Acquisition
Subject Language(s):
Czech (ces)
Dissertation Director:
Henriette Hendriks
Dissertation Abstract:
Background: This dissertation examines conceptual reorganisation in L2 learnersby comparing event construal patterns in L1 and L2 discourse. Previousresearch suggests that the way grammatical aspect is encoded in the speaker'sL1 can influence how events are conceptualised in their L2 (von Stutterheim &Carroll 2006). Given the lack of consensus regarding partial (Bylund 2011)versus zero (Schmiedtová et al. 2011) susceptibility to reorganising L1 eventconstrual patterns in L2, the present work contributes to the resonant discussionin this area by investigating the extent to which grammatical aspectual operatorsinfluence preverbal message generation (Levelt 1989, Habel & Tappe 1999) inthree typologically diverse L1 groups and four L2 groups. The main novel featureof the employed approach is testing L2 learners’ ability to adjust L1 thinking-for-
speaking principles (Slobin 1996) in the target language by looking at fourconceptualisation processes abreast (i.e. segmentation, selection, structuringand linearization).
Method: Film verbalisations and picture descriptions by Czech, Hungarian andEnglish native speakers; and Czech and Hungarian learners of English at basicand advanced levels were elicited to test (a) whether crosslinguistic eventconstrual contrasts are attributable to the differences in the grammatical meansthat are available for encoding temporality in particular languages; and (b)whether learners’ degree of susceptibility to reorganising L1 principles fortemporal reference in the target language changes as a function of L2proficiency.
Results: Analyses of L1 speakers’ and L2 learners’ discourse organisationpatterns produced three major results. Firstly, preferences in message encodingtypical of a given L1 proved closely interrelated with the aspectual operatorsavailable in that L1. Secondly, the aspectual system of L1 was found to have animpact on event construal choices in basic and also advanced level learners’ L2production. And thirdly, consistent patterns across groups remained largelyunaffected by changes of modality (speech vs. writing), however, they showedsome sensitivity to task type (film retellings vs. picture descriptions).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that the processes of eventconceptualisation in L2 largely rest on L1 fundaments, and that persisting L1principles can lead to significant digressions from target-like performance even inhighly advanced learner varieties. Sustained conformity to L1-specific patternsfound in all four processes challenges the view that L1 concepts arereorganisable in favour of the L2 concepts (Athanasopoulos & Kasai 2011,Papafragou et al. 2008). Instead, the findings are consistent with studiesreporting very limited or no traces of conceptual reorganisation in L2 (Hendriks etal. 2008; von Stutterheim & Lambert 2005).
Page Updated: 10-Jan-2013