The processing of subject-object ambiguities by English and Dutch L2 learners of German
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Carrie N. Jackson
Abstract
This self-paced reading study explored how English and Dutch L2 learners of German process subject-object ambiguities in German and whether the location of the lexical verb influences on-line processing among L2 learners. Reading time results at the disambiguating region revealed a subject-first preference, regardless of the location of the lexical verb, for all three groups. This highlights the potential for native-like L2 processing. At the same time, however, differences emerged in reading times between the two L2 learner groups on later segments, suggesting that the L1 can influence L2 processing, even among advanced learners.
Abstract
This self-paced reading study explored how English and Dutch L2 learners of German process subject-object ambiguities in German and whether the location of the lexical verb influences on-line processing among L2 learners. Reading time results at the disambiguating region revealed a subject-first preference, regardless of the location of the lexical verb, for all three groups. This highlights the potential for native-like L2 processing. At the same time, however, differences emerged in reading times between the two L2 learner groups on later segments, suggesting that the L1 can influence L2 processing, even among advanced learners.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
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Part I. Introduction
- Second language processing and parsing 3
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Part II. Relative clauses and wh -movement
- Relative clause attachment preferences of Turkish L2 speakers of English 27
- Evidence of syntactic constraints in the processing of wh -movement 65
- Constraints on L2 learners’ processing of wh-dependencies 87
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Part III. Gender and number
- The effects of linear distance and working memory on the processing of gender agreement in Spanish 113
- Feature assembly in early stages of L2 acquisition 135
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Part IV. Subjects and objects
- Second language processing in Japanese scrambled sentences 159
- Second language gap processing of Japanese scrambling under a Simpler Syntax account 177
- The processing of subject-object ambiguities by English and Dutch L2 learners of German 207
- Connections between processing, production and placement 231
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Part V. Phonology and lexicon
- The exploitation of fine phonetic detail in the processing of L2 French 259
- Translation ambiguity 281
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Part VI. Prosody and context
- Reading aloud in two languages 297
- Near-nativelike processing of contrastive focus in L2 French 321
- Author index 345
- Subject index 349
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
-
Part I. Introduction
- Second language processing and parsing 3
-
Part II. Relative clauses and wh -movement
- Relative clause attachment preferences of Turkish L2 speakers of English 27
- Evidence of syntactic constraints in the processing of wh -movement 65
- Constraints on L2 learners’ processing of wh-dependencies 87
-
Part III. Gender and number
- The effects of linear distance and working memory on the processing of gender agreement in Spanish 113
- Feature assembly in early stages of L2 acquisition 135
-
Part IV. Subjects and objects
- Second language processing in Japanese scrambled sentences 159
- Second language gap processing of Japanese scrambling under a Simpler Syntax account 177
- The processing of subject-object ambiguities by English and Dutch L2 learners of German 207
- Connections between processing, production and placement 231
-
Part V. Phonology and lexicon
- The exploitation of fine phonetic detail in the processing of L2 French 259
- Translation ambiguity 281
-
Part VI. Prosody and context
- Reading aloud in two languages 297
- Near-nativelike processing of contrastive focus in L2 French 321
- Author index 345
- Subject index 349
