Not just algunos , but indeed unos L2ers can acquire scalar implicatures in L2 Spanish
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David Miller
Abstract
This study examines interpretation of scalar implicatures (SI) in the L2 Spanish of native English advanced learners. Spanish is especially interesting since, unlike English, it has two indefinite determiners, unos and algunos, which ostensibly map to English some. However, each does not allow an implicature like English some. The complexity of the Spanish system is predicted to make Spanish particularly challenging. We present data from a Video Acceptability Judgment experiment where the subset – whole set distinction is applied to algunos/unos. The videos contain sets of 4 participants, in which 0, 3 or all 4 engage in an action. Test sentences are presented after the video clips in four target conditions: (a) algunos with 4 out of 4 (4/4) video, (b) algunos with 3 out of 4 (3/4) video, (c) unos with 4/4 video and (d) unos with 3/4 video. Judgments on the 4/4 video conditions, especially the algunos condition, indicate whether implicatures are projected or not. If participants are sensitive to the idiosyncratic restrictions on algunos for implicatures, one expects to find a distinction between algunos and unos in the 4/4 condition, and between 4/4 versus 3/4 conditions with algunos. Both participant groups (native speakers and advanced L2ers) perform the experiment similarly. Both groups make the two relevant distinctions to the same degree.
Abstract
This study examines interpretation of scalar implicatures (SI) in the L2 Spanish of native English advanced learners. Spanish is especially interesting since, unlike English, it has two indefinite determiners, unos and algunos, which ostensibly map to English some. However, each does not allow an implicature like English some. The complexity of the Spanish system is predicted to make Spanish particularly challenging. We present data from a Video Acceptability Judgment experiment where the subset – whole set distinction is applied to algunos/unos. The videos contain sets of 4 participants, in which 0, 3 or all 4 engage in an action. Test sentences are presented after the video clips in four target conditions: (a) algunos with 4 out of 4 (4/4) video, (b) algunos with 3 out of 4 (3/4) video, (c) unos with 4/4 video and (d) unos with 3/4 video. Judgments on the 4/4 video conditions, especially the algunos condition, indicate whether implicatures are projected or not. If participants are sensitive to the idiosyncratic restrictions on algunos for implicatures, one expects to find a distinction between algunos and unos in the 4/4 condition, and between 4/4 versus 3/4 conditions with algunos. Both participant groups (native speakers and advanced L2ers) perform the experiment similarly. Both groups make the two relevant distinctions to the same degree.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface and acknowledgements 1
- L2 acquisition 3
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Part I. Parameters and beyond
- Pro-drop then and now 17
- Reference comprehension and production in bilingual Spanish 37
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Part II. Features and crossroads L1/L2
- When masculine as default supercedes L1 transfer 73
- L2 knowledge of gender and number agreement in Spanish noun ellipsis 99
- Not just algunos , but indeed unos L2ers can acquire scalar implicatures in L2 Spanish 125
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Part III. Word order and complex structures
- Comprehension of subject and object relative clauses by second language learners of Spanish 149
- On the production of differential object marking and wh -question formation in native and non-native Spanish 187
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Part IV. Monolingual and bilingual first language acquisition
- In search of the perfect tense 213
- The acquisition of grammatical gender in L1 bilingual Spanish 237
- Applying computing innovations to bilingual corpus analysis 281
- Index 303
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface and acknowledgements 1
- L2 acquisition 3
-
Part I. Parameters and beyond
- Pro-drop then and now 17
- Reference comprehension and production in bilingual Spanish 37
-
Part II. Features and crossroads L1/L2
- When masculine as default supercedes L1 transfer 73
- L2 knowledge of gender and number agreement in Spanish noun ellipsis 99
- Not just algunos , but indeed unos L2ers can acquire scalar implicatures in L2 Spanish 125
-
Part III. Word order and complex structures
- Comprehension of subject and object relative clauses by second language learners of Spanish 149
- On the production of differential object marking and wh -question formation in native and non-native Spanish 187
-
Part IV. Monolingual and bilingual first language acquisition
- In search of the perfect tense 213
- The acquisition of grammatical gender in L1 bilingual Spanish 237
- Applying computing innovations to bilingual corpus analysis 281
- Index 303