Analyzing morphology-related strategies in Spanish L2 lexical inferencing: how do suffixes matter?
-
Nausica Marcos Miguel
Abstract
Intraword awareness, i. e., of affixes and stems, helps L2 learners in inferring the meaning of unknown words. Learners draw inferences relying on suffixes, prefixes and stems since each element can independently contribute to comprehension. This study analyzes morphology-related strategies in inferencing and focuses on the contribution of suffixes for adult L1 English-speaking learners of Spanish. Differences among suffixes (i. e., transparency, biuniqueness, explicitness of instruction, and cognateness) are taken into account. In a cross-sectional design with learners (n=209) of different proficiency levels (from 2 to 7 semesters of university study), intraword awareness was analyzed by means of two metalinguistic tasks. Participants of all proficiency levels relied on morphology-related strategies, with an increase of proficiency accompanied by an increase in strategy use. As for suffixes, instruction and cognateness mattered more than frequency in guiding students to successful inferencing. Nevertheless, knowledge of suffixes was still limited for the most advanced learners.
Acknolwedgment
This study was conducted as part of my dissertation research, supported by an Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowship, at the University of Pittsburgh. I would like to thank my dissertation advisor, Alan Juffs, and my committee members, Keiko Koda, David Mortensen, and Marta Ortega-Llebaria, for their helpful comments. I would also like to thank Carrie Bonilla, Mari Félix Cubas-Mora, Kimmy Rehak, and Lori Randall for reviewing earlier drafts of this paper. I am also grateful to the editor and the reviewers for their thoughtful.
References
Almela, Ramón, Pascual Cantos, Aquilino Sánchez, Ramón Sarmiento & Moisés Almela. 2005. Frecuencias del español: Diccionario y estudios léxicos y morfológicos. Madrid: Universitas.Suche in Google Scholar
Bauer, Laurie & Paul Nation. 1993. Word Families. International Journal of Lexicography 6(4). 253–279.10.1093/ijl/6.4.253Suche in Google Scholar
Bengeleil, Nazmia F. & T. Sima Paribakht. 2004. L2 reading proficiency and lexical inferencing by university EFL learners. Canadian Modern Language Review 61(2). 225–250.10.3138/cmlr.61.2.225Suche in Google Scholar
Bensoussan, Marsha & Batia Laufer. 1984. Lexical Guessing in Context in EFL Reading Comprehension. Journal of Research in Reading 7(1). 15–32.10.1111/j.1467-9817.1984.tb00252.xSuche in Google Scholar
Blanco, José A & Philip R Donley. 2012. Vistas. Introducción a la lengua española: Vista. Higher learning, Boston, Masschussetts, USA.Suche in Google Scholar
Blanco, José A & Colbert. María. 2010. Enfoques. Curso intermedio de lengua española. Boston, Massachusetts: Vista Higher Learning.Suche in Google Scholar
Brown, Dale. 2011. What aspects of vocabulary knowledge do textbooks give attention to?. Language Teaching Research 15(83). 83–97.10.1177/1362168810383345Suche in Google Scholar
Clahsen, Harald, Claudia Felser, Kathleen Neubauer, Mikako Sato & Renita Silva. 2010. Morphological structure in native and nonnative language processing. Language Learning 60(1). 21–43.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2009.00550.xSuche in Google Scholar
Clark, Eve V. 1993. The lexicon in acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.10.1017/CBO9780511554377Suche in Google Scholar
Collins, Brett & I.S. Nation Paul. 2015. Testing receptive knowledge of derivational affixes. Journal of Second Language Teaching and Research 4(1). 6–23.Suche in Google Scholar
De Groot, Anette M. B. & G. van Hell Janet. 2005. The Learning of Foreign Language Vocabulary. In Judith F Kroll & M. B. de Groot Anette (eds.), Handbook of Bilingualism. Psycholinguistic Approaches, New York: Oxford University Press.Suche in Google Scholar
Dominicis, María C & John Reynolds. 2007. Repase y escriba. Curso avanzado de gramática y composición. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, INC.Suche in Google Scholar
Ellis, Nick. 2006. Selective attention and transfer phenomena in L2 acquisition: Contingency, cue competition, salience, interference, overshadowing, blocking, and perceptual learning. Applied Linguistics 27(2). 164–194.10.1093/applin/aml015Suche in Google Scholar
Friedline, Benjamin. 2011. Challenges in the Second Language Acquisition of Derivational Morphology: From Theory to Practice. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh dissertation.Suche in Google Scholar
Goldschneider, Jennifer & DeKeyser Robert. 2001. Explaining the “Natural Order of L2 Morpheme Acquisition” in English: A Meta-analysis of Multiple Determinants. Language Learning 51(1). 1–50.10.1111/1467-9922.00147Suche in Google Scholar
Haastrup, Kirsten. 1991. Lexical Inferencing Procedures or Talking about Words. Receptive Procedures in Foreign Language Learning with Special Reference to English. Tübingen: Gunter Narr Verlag.Suche in Google Scholar
Haastrup, Kirsten. 2008. Lexical Inferencing Procedures in Two Languages. In Dorte Albrechtsen, Kirsten Haastrup & Birgit Henriksen (eds.), Vocabulary and Writing in a First and Second Language, 67–111. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.10.1057/9780230593404_3Suche in Google Scholar
Hall, Christopher J. 2002. The automatic cognate form assumption: Evidence for the parasitic model of vocabulary development. IRAL 40(2). 69–88.10.1515/iral.2002.008Suche in Google Scholar
Hamada, Megumi. 2014. The role of morphological and contextual information in L2 lexical inference. The Modern Language Journal 98(4). 992–1005.10.1111/modl.12151Suche in Google Scholar
Hatami, Sarvenaz & Mansoor Tavakoli. 2013. The role of depth versus breadth of vocabulary knowledge in success and ease in L2 lexical inferencing. TESL Canada Journal 30(1). 1.10.18806/tesl.v30i1.1123Suche in Google Scholar
Hayashi, Yuko & Victoria Murphy. 2011. An investigation of morphological awareness in Japanese learners of English. Language Learning Journal 39(1). 105–120.10.1080/09571731003663614Suche in Google Scholar
Hu, Hsueh-chao M & Hossein Nassaji. 2012. Ease of Inferencing, Learner Inferential Strategies, and Their Relationship with the Retention of Word Meanings Inferred from Context. The Canadian Modern Language Review/La Revue canadienne des langues vivante 68(1). 54–77.10.3138/cmlr.68.1.054Suche in Google Scholar
Jeon, Eun H & Junko Yamashita. 2014. L2 Reading Comprehension and Its Correlates: A Meta-Analysis. Language Learning 64(1). 160–212.10.1111/lang.12034Suche in Google Scholar
Ke, Sihui Echo & Keiko Koda. 2017. Contributions of Morphological Awareness to Adult L2 Chinese Word Meaning Inferencing. The Modern Language Journal 101(4). 742–755.10.1111/modl.12428Suche in Google Scholar
Koda, Keiko. 2005. Insights into Second Language Reading: A Cross-Linguistic Approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.10.1017/CBO9781139524841Suche in Google Scholar
Kuo, Li-Jeng & Richard C Anderson. 2006. Morphological awareness and learning to read: A cross-language perspective. Educational Psychologist 41(3). 161–180.10.1207/s15326985ep4103_3Suche in Google Scholar
Laufer, Batia. 1988. The concept of ‘synforms’ (similar lexical forms) in vocabulary acquisition. Language and Education 2(2). 113–132.10.1080/09500788809541228Suche in Google Scholar
Laufer, Batia. (2010). Form-focused instruction in Second Language vocabulary acquisition. In Rubén Chacón-Beltrán, Christián Abello-Contesse, and María del Mar Torreblanca-López, (eds). Insights into non-native vocabulary teaching and learning, 15-27. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781847692900-003Suche in Google Scholar
Luk, Zoe P & Yas Shirai. 2009. Is the Acquisition Order of Grammatical Morphemes Impervious to L1 Knowledge? Evidence from the Acquisition of Plural -s, Articles, and Possessive ‘s. Language Learning 59(4). 721–754.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2009.00524.xSuche in Google Scholar
Marcos Miguel, Nausica. (2017). Instruction in derivational morphology in the Spanish L2 classroom: What do teachers believe and do? Konin Language Studies 5(1). 37–60.Suche in Google Scholar
Medellín Gómez, Adriana & Auza Benavides Alejandra. 2008. Influencia del tamaño del vocabulario en el conocimiento morfológico de afijos. Estudios de Lingüística Aplicada, 48. 97–108.Suche in Google Scholar
Mochizuki, Masamichi & Kazumi Aizawa. 2000. An affix acquisition order for EFL learners: An exploratory study. System 28. 291–304.10.1016/S0346-251X(00)00013-0Suche in Google Scholar
Morin, Regina. 2003. Derivational Morphological Analysis as a Strategy for Vocabulary Acquisition in Spanish. The Modern Language Journal 87(2). 200–221.10.1111/1540-4781.00186Suche in Google Scholar
Morin, Regina. 2006. Building Depth of Spanish L2 Vocabulary by Building and Using Word Families. Hispania 89(1). 170–182.10.2307/20063269Suche in Google Scholar
Nassaji, Hossein. 2006. The Relationship between Depth of Vocabulary Knowledge and L2 Learners’ Lexical Inferencing Strategy Use and Success. The Modern Language Journal 90. 387–401.10.1111/j.1540-4781.2006.00431.xSuche in Google Scholar
Norris, John M & Lourdes Ortega. 2000. Effectiveness of L2 instruction: A research synthesis and quantitative meta‐analysis. Language learning 50(3). 417–528.10.1111/0023-8333.00136Suche in Google Scholar
Pulido, Diana. 2007. The effects of topic familiarity and passage sight vocabulary on L2 lexical inferencing and retention through reading. Applied linguistics 28(1). 66–86.10.1093/applin/aml049Suche in Google Scholar
Qian, David D. 2005. Demystifying lexical inferencing: The role of aspects of vocabulary knowledge. TESL Canada Journal 22(2). 34–54.10.18806/tesl.v22i2.86Suche in Google Scholar
Real Academia Española (RAE). 2014. Diccionario de la lengua española. http://www.rae.es (accessed 26 January 2018)Suche in Google Scholar
Rehak, Kimberly. M. & Alan Juffs. 2011. Native and Non-Native Processing of Morphologically Complex English Words: Testing the Influence of Derivational Prefixes. In Gisela Granena, Joel Koeth, Sunyoung Lee-Ellis, Anna Lukyanchenko, Goretti Prieto Botana & Elizabeth Rhoades (eds.), Selected Proceedings of the 2010 Second Language Research Forum, 125–142. Sommerville, MA: Cascadilla Proceedings Project.Suche in Google Scholar
Robles García, Pablos & Claudia H. Sánchez-Gutiérrez. 2016. La morfología derivativa en los manuales de español elemental estadounidenses: Un estudio exploratorio. Revista Electrónica de Lingüística Aplicada 1(15). 70–86.Suche in Google Scholar
Sánchez-Gutiérrez, Claudia H. 2013. Priming morfológico y conciencia morfológica. Una investigación con estudiantes norteamericanos de E/LE. Salamanca, Spain: Universidad de Salamanca dissertation.Suche in Google Scholar
Sánchez-Gutiérrez, Claudia H. 2014. Morfología derivativa y manuales de E/LE: Un análisis crítico. Morfología y Diccionarios. Anexos de Revista de Lexicografía 31. 163–178.Suche in Google Scholar
Schmitt, Norbert. 1997. Vocabulary learning strategies. In Norbert Schmitt & Michael McCarthy (eds.), Vocabulary: Description, acquisition and pedagogy, 199–227. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Suche in Google Scholar
Schmitt, Norbert. 2008. Review article: Instructed second language vocabulary learning. Language Teaching Research 12(2). 329–363.10.1177/1362168808089921Suche in Google Scholar
Schmitt, Norbert & Cheryl B Zimmerman. 2002. Derivative word forms: What do learners know?. Tesol Quarterly 36(2). 145–171.10.2307/3588328Suche in Google Scholar
Serrano-Dolader, David. 2004. La formación de palabras en español. DidactiRed. http://cvc.cervantes.es/aula/didactired/anteriores/febrero_04/23022004.htm (accessed 27 January 2018)Suche in Google Scholar
Serrano-Dolader, David. 2005. La formación de palabras y el español como lengua extranjera: Reflexión y aplicación. Frecuencia L (Revista de Didáctica Español Lengua Extranjera) 28. 11–15.Suche in Google Scholar
Serrano-Dolader, David. (ed.). 2006. La formación de palabras en la clase de ELE. Centro Virtual Cervantes, Instituto Cervantes. http://cvc.cervantes.es/ensenanza/biblioteca_ele/antologia_didactica/morfologia/(accessed 27 January 2018)Suche in Google Scholar
Serrano-Dolader, David. 2015. Sobre la prefijación apreciativa en español: Un enfoque didáctico. In David Serrano-Dolader, Margarita Porroche Ballesteros & Martín Zorraquino María Antonia (eds.), Aspectos de la subjetividad en el lenguaje, 225–248. Zaragoza: Institución ‘Fernando el Católico’ (C.S.I.C.).Suche in Google Scholar
Serrano-Dolader, David, Martín Zorraquino María Antonia & José F Val Álvaro. (eds.). 2009. Morfología y español como lengua extranjera E/LE. Zaragoza: Prensas Universitarias de Zaragoza.Suche in Google Scholar
Spada, Nina & Yasuyo Tomita. 2010. Interactions between type of instruction and type of language feature: A Meta‐Analysis. Language learning 60(2). 263–308.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2010.00562.xSuche in Google Scholar
Tyler, Andrea & William Nagy. 1989. The Acquisition of English Derivational Morphology. Journal of Memory and Language 28. 649–667.10.1016/0749-596X(89)90002-8Suche in Google Scholar
Van Zeeland, Hilde. 2014. Lexical inferencing in first and second language listening. The Modern Language Journal 98(4). 1006–1021.10.1111/modl.12152Suche in Google Scholar
Varela Ortega, Soledad. 2003. Léxico, morfología y gramática en la enseñanza de español como lengua extranjera. Estudios de Lingüística Universidad de Alicante 17. 571–588.10.14198/ELUA2003.17.32Suche in Google Scholar
Wesche, Marjorie B & Sima Paribakht. 2010. Lexical Inferencing in a First and Second Language. Toronto: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781847692245Suche in Google Scholar
Whitley, Stanley. 2004. Lexical errors and the acquisition of derivational morphology in Spanish. Hispania 87(1). 163–172.10.2307/20063018Suche in Google Scholar
Zhang, Dongbo & Keiko Koda. 2012. Contribution of morphological awareness and lexical inferencing ability to L2 vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension among advanced EFL learners: Testing direct and indirect effects. Reading and Writing 25(5). 1195–1216.10.1007/s11145-011-9313-zSuche in Google Scholar
Correction note
Correction added after online publication June 26, 2018: Reference “David 2006” was updated to “Serrano-Dolader 2006” through out the article.
© 2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Effect of iconic gestures on second language vocabulary retention in a naturalistic setting
- The role of individual differences in younger vs. older primary school learners of English in Denmark
- Generating predictions based on semantic categories in a second language: A case of numeral classifiers in Japanese
- Analyzing morphology-related strategies in Spanish L2 lexical inferencing: how do suffixes matter?
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Effect of iconic gestures on second language vocabulary retention in a naturalistic setting
- The role of individual differences in younger vs. older primary school learners of English in Denmark
- Generating predictions based on semantic categories in a second language: A case of numeral classifiers in Japanese
- Analyzing morphology-related strategies in Spanish L2 lexical inferencing: how do suffixes matter?
