Explaining the difficulty with L2 acquisition of scope interpretation by speakers of a scope-rigid language
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Takayuki Kimura
Abstract
This study explores the L2 acquisition of quantifier scope in English, a notably difficult property to acquire by speakers of a scope-rigid language like Japanese. This study examines the knowledge of universal quantifiers in English that Japanese Learners of English (JLEs) have, focusing on the distributivity and collectivity of the quantifiers. Results of a picture-based acceptability judgment task showed that JLEs had problems with scope judgments and interpreted every NP as a distributive/collective quantifier akin to all NPPL in the grammar of English native speakers. Thus, this study implies that issues with the L2 acquisition of scope ambiguity are rooted in a problem with the reassembly of quantificational features of universal quantifiers, in accord with Lardiere (2008, 2009).
Abstract
This study explores the L2 acquisition of quantifier scope in English, a notably difficult property to acquire by speakers of a scope-rigid language like Japanese. This study examines the knowledge of universal quantifiers in English that Japanese Learners of English (JLEs) have, focusing on the distributivity and collectivity of the quantifiers. Results of a picture-based acceptability judgment task showed that JLEs had problems with scope judgments and interpreted every NP as a distributive/collective quantifier akin to all NPPL in the grammar of English native speakers. Thus, this study implies that issues with the L2 acquisition of scope ambiguity are rooted in a problem with the reassembly of quantificational features of universal quantifiers, in accord with Lardiere (2008, 2009).
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Introduction 1
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L2 acquisition of syntax
- Intervention effects in L1 and L2 English raising 11
- Explaining the difficulty with L2 acquisition of scope interpretation by speakers of a scope-rigid language 41
- Definiteness and argument position in the interpretation of bare nouns 67
- L1-Mandarin L2-English learners’ acquisition of English double-quantifier scope 93
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L2 acquisition at interfaces
- Feature dependency and the poverty of the stimulus in the acquisition of L2 German plural allomorphy 117
- Development of L2 prosody 137
- Transfer of prosodic representation 157
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Impact of previously learned languages
- The role of L1 Norwegian and L2 English in the acquisition of verb placement in L3 German 191
- Feature reconfiguration at the syntax-discourse interface 213
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Exploring extra-linguistic factors and their impact on L2 acquisition
- Interference-based and capacity-based approaches to working memory in second language sentence processing 243
- Heritage language speakers inform the critical period hypothesis for first and second language acquisition 265
- A different type of RC attachment resolution 287
- Subject Index 315
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Introduction 1
-
L2 acquisition of syntax
- Intervention effects in L1 and L2 English raising 11
- Explaining the difficulty with L2 acquisition of scope interpretation by speakers of a scope-rigid language 41
- Definiteness and argument position in the interpretation of bare nouns 67
- L1-Mandarin L2-English learners’ acquisition of English double-quantifier scope 93
-
L2 acquisition at interfaces
- Feature dependency and the poverty of the stimulus in the acquisition of L2 German plural allomorphy 117
- Development of L2 prosody 137
- Transfer of prosodic representation 157
-
Impact of previously learned languages
- The role of L1 Norwegian and L2 English in the acquisition of verb placement in L3 German 191
- Feature reconfiguration at the syntax-discourse interface 213
-
Exploring extra-linguistic factors and their impact on L2 acquisition
- Interference-based and capacity-based approaches to working memory in second language sentence processing 243
- Heritage language speakers inform the critical period hypothesis for first and second language acquisition 265
- A different type of RC attachment resolution 287
- Subject Index 315
