L2 acquisition of Japanese null arguments
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Mayuko Yusa
Abstract
Adopting the anti-agreement hypothesis that argument ellipsis is allowed in languages lacking φ-feature agreement, the present study investigates whether second language (L2) learners of φ-feature agreement languages (L1-English L2 learners of Japanese; ELJs) and L2 learners of anti-agreement languages (L1-Mandarin Chinese L2 learners of Japanese; CLJs) can access sloppy interpretations of Japanese null arguments. The results concerning null subjects indicate that both L2 groups behaved similarly to Japanese native speakers (JNSs) by allowing the sloppy reading of null subjects. However, further analysis by L2 proficiency revealed distinct patterns. Intermediate ELJs exhibited L1-transfer of φ-feature agreement, assigning null subjects the strict reading, while the advanced ELJs were able to discard the φ-feature, allowing the sloppy reading. In contrast, CLJs accepted the sloppy reading from the intermediate level, indicating that the absence of the φ-feature functioned as positive transfer. Regarding the results with null objects, both L2 groups performed like JNSs, allowing the sloppy interpretation. Assuming that deleting a feature present in L1 is more difficult than adding a feature absent in L1 to L2, we will explain the results in terms of L1 transfer.
Funding source: The Ohio State University Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures Nissen Fund
Acknowledgments
An earlier version of the current experiment was conducted for a Master’s thesis at The Ohio State University. I would like to express my gratitude to Mineharu Nakayama for his valuable advice on the experimental design. I extend my appreciation to Koichi Otaki, Zhiguo Xie, and Noriaki Yusa for their insightful feedback. I’m also indebted to Masatoshi Koizumi, Yoichi Miyamoto, Ryan Spring, Jennifer Teeter, Xuan Wang, and Ruilai Wang for helping me with data collection. Lastly, I would also appreciate anonymous reviewers for their helpful an insightful feedback and suggestions.
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Research funding: The earlier version of data collection was facilitated through the support by The Ohio State University Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures Nissen Fund. Their support is gratefully acknowledged.
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© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Editorial
- Guest Editors’ Notes
- Guest editor’s notes
- Articles
- The role of L1 phonology in the perception of L2 semivowels
- Notes on the acquisition of L2 English intervention structures: a case of Japanese EFL learners
- Microvariation in L2 acquisition of backward anaphora: Mandarin versus Japanese
- L2 acquisition of Japanese null arguments
- Cross-language facilitatory and inhibitory effects in the naming of Japanese words by Chinese-Japanese bilinguals
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Editorial
- Guest Editors’ Notes
- Guest editor’s notes
- Articles
- The role of L1 phonology in the perception of L2 semivowels
- Notes on the acquisition of L2 English intervention structures: a case of Japanese EFL learners
- Microvariation in L2 acquisition of backward anaphora: Mandarin versus Japanese
- L2 acquisition of Japanese null arguments
- Cross-language facilitatory and inhibitory effects in the naming of Japanese words by Chinese-Japanese bilinguals
