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Part of
Language Learning, Discourse and Cognition: Studies in the tradition of Andrea Tyler
Edited by Lucy Pickering and Vyvyan Evans
[Human Cognitive Processing 64] 2018
► pp. 249–273

Chapter 10
Effects of L2 exposure on the use of discourse devices in L2 storytelling

This study builds on Nakahama, Tyler and van Lier (2001), which showed that conversation provides a plethora of learning opportunities as opposed to decontextualized, mechanical types of activities. The study investigates second language (L2) storytelling by Japanese learners of English as a second language (ESL) and English as a foreign language (EFL) while talking with native speaker interlocutors. Major differences were found between the two groups. ESL learners produced more words and discourse markers (DMs) than their EFL counterparts. Furthermore, while the EFL learners’ narratives were monologic, the ESL learners’ narratives were dialogic and involved NS collaborations. Negotiation of meaning was found in both groups when non-understanding occurred during the storytelling. However, while the EFL learners’ errors received recasts from the NS, the ESL learners’ errors went uncorrected by their interlocutor.

Keywords: discourse markers, English as a Second/Foreign Language, narratives
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background
    • 2.1Narrative as a means of communication
    • 2.2Collaboration between speakers and listeners in storytelling
    • 2.3Discourse markers (DMs)
    • 2.4The effects of learning environment on L2 pragmatics
  • 3.Method
    • 3.1Participants
    • 3.2Procedures
    • 3.3Analysis
  • 4.Results and discussion
    • 4.1Use of DMs (oh, okay and y’know)
    • 4.2Use of oh
    • 4.3Use of okay
    • 4.4Use of y’know
    • 4.5L1 use in learner discourse
    • 4.6Q & A or conversation
    • 4.7Recast and negotiation of meaning
    • 4.8Post hoc interview with the NSs
  • 5.Conclusion
  • 6.Limitations and implications
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
  • Appendix
Published online: 20 December 2018
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/hcp.64.11nak
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