Roles of positive and indirect negative evidence in L2 feature reassembly
An empirical study of L2 acquisition of Chinese and Thai collective markers
This article reports an empirical study investigating L2 acquisition of the Mandarin Chinese collective marker
-men by adult Thai-speaking learners and the Thai collective marker phûak- by adult
Chinese-speaking learners within the framework of the Feature Reassembly Hypothesis (Lardiere,
2009a, 2009b). An acceptability judgment test was administered to learners
with beginning, intermediate and advanced proficiencies of Chinese and Thai (n = 114) as well as native speaker
controls (n = 30). The results reveal a facilitating role of positive evidence in L2 feature reassembly as
Chinese learners who are exposed to positive evidence of “phûak + animal noun” and “phûak +
indefinite noun” structures in their Thai input perform native-like on these structures from an intermediate level onward. On the
other hand, feature reassembly is hindered when positive evidence is unavailable as in the case of Thai learners of Chinese where
no evidence they receive in the input shows ungrammaticality of “animal noun + men” and “indefinite noun +
men” structures in Chinese. These learners mostly fail to perform native-like even at an advanced level.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Collective markers in Chinese and Thai
- 3.L2 acquisition
- 3.1Feature reassembly
- 3.2Positive and indirect negative evidence
- 4.Experimental study
- 4.1Research questions and predictions
- 4.2Participants
- 4.3Tasks
- 4.4Materials
- 4.5Procedures
- 5.Results
- 5.1Methods of data analysis
- 5.2Acquisition of animacy restrictions on collective markers
- 5.3Acquisition of the definiteness restriction on collective markers
- 6.Discussion
- 6.1Answers to research questions and validating predictions
- 6.2Positive evidence and the notion of “detectability” in FRH
- 6.3Indirect negative evidence
- 7.Conclusion
- Notes
-
References
References (69)
Aoun, J., & Li, Y. A.
(
2003)
Essays on the representational and derivational nature of grammar: The diversity of wh-constructions. The MIT Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Boyd, J. K., & Goldberg, A. E.
(
2011)
Learning what not to say: The role of statistical preemption and categorization in a-adjective production.
Language, 87(1), 55–83.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Bruton, A.
(
2000)
What exactly are positive and negative evidence in SLA? RELC Journal, 31(2), 120–133.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Carroll, S. E.
(
2007)
Autonomous induction theory. In
B. VanPatten &
J. Williams (Eds.),
Theories in second language acquisition: An introduction (pp. 155–200). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Carroll, S. E.
(
1999)
Putting ‘input’ in its proper place.
Second Language Research, 15(4), 337–388.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Chao, Y.-R.
(
1968)
A grammar of spoken Chinese. University of California Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Chen, G.
(
1987) Guān yú “men” yǔ “-s” [On “men” and “-s”].
Fùdàn Xuébào (Shèhuì Kēxué Bǎn) [
Journal of Fudan University (Social Science)], 51, 30–34.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Chomsky, N.
(
1981)
Lectures on government and binding: The Pisa lectures. Foris.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Chomsky, N.
(
1986)
Barriers. The MIT Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Chomsky, N.
(
1995)
The Minimalist Program. The MIT Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Clark, A., & Lappin, S.
(
2009)
Another look at indirect negative evidence. In
Proceedings of the EACL 2009 workshop on cognitive aspects of computational language acquisition (pp. 26–33). Association for Computational Linguistics.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ellis, R.
(
2004)
The definition and measurement of L2 explicit knowledge.
Language Learning, 54(2), 227–275.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ellis, R.
(
2009)
Implicit and explicit learning, knowledge and instruction. In
R. Ellis,
S. Loewen,
C. Elder,
H. Reinders,
R. Erlam, &
J. Philp (Eds.),
Implicit and explicit knowledge in second language learning, testing and teaching (pp. 3–25). Multilingual Matters.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Fischer, S., Kupisch, T., & Rinke, K.
(
2016)
Introduction. In
S. Fischer,
T. Kupisch, &
K. Rinke (Eds.),
Definiteness effects: Bilingual, typological and diachronic variation (pp. 1–22). Cambridge Scholars.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gabriele, A.
(
2009)
Transfer and transition in the SLA of aspect: A bidirectional study of learners of English and Japanese.
Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 31(3), 371–402.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gass, S., & Selinker, L.
(
2008)
Second language acquisition: An introductory course (3rd ed.). Routledge.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Goldberg, A. E.
(
2016)
Partial productivity of linguistic constructions: Dynamic categorization and statistical preemption.
Language and Cognition, 81, 369–390.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Goldberg, A. E., & Boyd, J. K.
(
2015)
A-adjectives, statistical preemption, and the evidence: Reply to Yang (2015).
Language, 91(4), 184–197.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Hsieh, M.-L.
(
2008)
The internal structure of noun phrases in Chinese. Crane Publishing.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Hsu, A., & Griffiths, T. L.
(
2016)
Sampling assumptions affect use of indirect negative evidence in language learning.
PLoS ONE, 11(6): e0156597.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Hsu, J.-L.
(
1994)
Englishization and language change in modern Chinese in Taiwan.
World Englishes, 131, 167–84.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Huang, C.-T. J.
(
1987)
Existential sentences in Chinese and (in)definiteness. In
E. J. Reuland &
A. G. B. ter Meulen (Eds.),
The representation of (in)definiteness (pp. 226–253). The MIT Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Huang, C.-T. J., Li, Y. A., & Li, Y.
(
2009)
The syntax of Chinese. Cambridge University Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Iljic, R.
(
1994)
Quantification in Mandarin Chinese: Two markers of plurality.
Linguistics, 321, 91–116.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Inagaki, S.
(
2001)
Motion verbs with goal PPs in the L2 acquisition of English and Japanese.
Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 23(2), 153–170.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ionin, T., & Montrul, S.
(
2010)
The role of L1 transfer in the interpretation of articles with definite plurals in L2 English.
Language Learning, 60(4), 877–925.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Jenks, P. S. E.
(
2011)
The hidden structure of Thai noun phrases (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Harvard University.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Keating, G. D., & Jegerski, J.
(
2015)
Experimental designs in sentence processing research: A methodological review and user’s guide.
Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 37(1), 1–32.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Krashen, S. D.
(
1982)
Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Pergamon Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lado, R.
(
1957)
Linguistics across cultures: Applied linguistics for language teachers. University of Michigan Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lardiere, D.
(
2007)
Acquiring (or assembling) functional categories in second language acquisition. In
Proceedings of the 2nd conference on generative approaches to language acquisition North America (GALANA) (pp. 233–244). Cascadilla Proceedings Project.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lardiere, D.
(
2008)
Feature-assembly in second language acquisition. In
J. Liceras,
H. Zobl, &
H. Goodluck (Eds.),
The role of formal features in second language acquisition (pp. 106–140). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lardiere, D.
(
2009a)
Some thoughts on a contrastive analysis of features in second language acquisition.
Second Language Research, 25(2), 173–227.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lardiere, D.
(
2009b)
Further thoughts on parameters and features in second language acquisition: A reply to peer comments on Lardiere’s ‘Some thoughts on the contrastive analysis of features in second language acquisition’ in SLR 25(2).
Second Language Research, 25(3), 409–422.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lee, E., & Lardiere, D.
(
2016)
L2 acquisition of number marking in Korean and Indonesian: A feature-based approach. In
D. Stringer,
J. Garrett,
B. Halloran, &
S. Mossman (Eds.),
Proceedings of the 13th generative approaches to second language acquisition conference (GASLA 2015) (pp. 113–123). Cascadilla Proceedings Project.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lee, E.
(
2015)
L2 acquisition of number marking: A bidirectional study of adult learners of Korean and Indonesian (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Georgetown University.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Li, Y. A.
(
1999)
Plurality in a classifier language.
Journal of East Asian Linguistics, 8(1), 75–99.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Liu, L.
(
2003) Duì “men” shǐ yòng fàn wéi de kǎo chá [The usage scope of “men”].
Běi Fāng Lùn Cóng [
The Northern Forum], 41, 114–117.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lü, S.
(
2002a)
Lǚ Shū Xiāng quán jí dì 01 juàn: Zhōngguó wénfǎ yàoluè [
Complete works by Lü Shuxiang, Volume 01: Outline of Chinese grammar]. Liaoning Education Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lü, S.
(
2002b)
Lǚ Shū Xiāng quán jí dì 05 juàn: Xiàndài hànyǔ bābǎi cí [
Complete works by Lü Shuxiang, Volume 5: Eight hundred words in Modern Chinese]. Liaoning Education Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Maftoon, P., & Esfandiari, L. T.
(
2015)
Carroll’s Autonomous Induction Theory: Combining views from UG and information processing theories.
Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 6(2), 423–428.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Mai, Z., & Yuan, B.
(
2016)
Uneven reassembly of tense, telicity and discourse features in L2 acquisition of the Chinese shì … de cleft construction by adult English speakers.
Second Language Research, 32(2), 247–276.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Norman, J.
(
1988)
Chinese. Cambridge University Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Pearl, L. S., & Mis, B.
(
2016)
The role of indirect positive evidence in syntactic acquisition: A look at anaphoric one.
Language, 92(1), 1–30.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Piriyawiboon, N.
(
2010)
Classifiers and determiner-less languages: The case of Thai (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Toronto.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Pullum, G. K., & Scholz, B. C.
(
2002)
Empirical assessment of stimulus poverty arguments.
The Linguistic Review, 191, 9–50
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Rebuschat, P.
(
2013)
Measuring implicit and explicit knowledge in second language research.
Language Learning, 63(3), 595–626.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Saffran, J. R.
(
2003)
Statistical language learning: Mechanisms and constraints.
Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12(4), 110–114.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Safir, K.
(
1982)
Syntactic chains and the definiteness effect (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Schwartz, B. D., & Sprouse, R. A.
(
1996)
L2 cognitive states and the Full Transfer-Full Access model.
Second Language Research, 12(1), 40–72.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Slabakova, R., Leal, T. L., & Liskin-Gasparro, J.
(
2014)
We have moved on: Current concepts and positions in Generative SLA.
Applied Linguistics, 35(5), 601–606.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Smith, M. S.
(
2013)
Only connect: The interface debate in second language acquisition. In
K. Drozdział-Szelest &
M. Pawlak (Eds.),
Psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic perspectives on second language learning and teaching, second language learning and teaching: Studies in honor of Waldemar Marton (pp. 37–39). Springer.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Tang, C.-C. J.
(
2004)
Two types of classifier languages: A typological study of classification markers in Paiwan noun phrases.
Language and Linguistics, 5(2), 377–407.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Tien, Y.-M., Tzeng, O. J. L., & Hung, D. L.
(
2002) Hànyǔ fènlèicí de yǔyì yǔ rènzhī jīchǔ: Gōngnéng yǔfǎ guāndiǎn [Semantic and cognitive basis of Chinese classifiers: A functional approach].
Language and Linguistics, 3(1), 101–132.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Trahey, M.
(
1996)
Positive evidence in second language acquisition: Some long-term effects.
Second Language Research, 12(2), 111–139.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Trapman, M., & Kager, R.
(
2009)
The acquisition of subset and superset phonotactic knowledge in a second language.
Language Acquisition, 16(3), 178–221.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Treffers-Daller, J., & Calude, A.
(
2015)
The role of statistical learning in acquisition of motion event construal in a second language.
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 18(5), 602–623.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
VanPatten, B., & Benati, A. G.
(
2010)
Key terms in second language acquisition. Bloomsbury.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Wang, H.
(
2000) “zhǐwù míngcí + men” shì nǐrén yòngfǎ ma? [Is “object noun+men” a personified usage?].
Lángfāng Shīzhuān Xuébào [
Journal of Langfang Teachers University], 11, 30–31.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
White, L.
(
2003)
Second language acquisition and Universal Grammar. Cambridge University Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Yang, C.
(
2015)
Negative knowledge from positive evidence.
Language, 91(4), 938–953.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Yang, H. S.-F.
(
2005)
Plurality and modification in Mandarin nominal phrases (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Texas at Austin.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Yuan, B., & Dugarova, E.
(
2012)
Wh-topicalization at the syntax-discourse interface in English speakers’ L2 Chinese grammars.
Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 34(4), 533–560.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Yuan, B.
(
2014)
‘Wh-on-earth’ in Chinese speakers’ L2 English: Evidence of dormant features.
Second Language Research, 30(4), 515–549.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Zhang, Y.
(
2001) “N” + “men” de xuǎnzé xiànzhì yǔ “N
men” de biǎoyì gōngyòng [The selective restrictions of “N +
men” and the expressive functions of “N
men
”].
zhōngguó Yǔwén [
Chinese Language], 31, 201–211.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Zyzik, E.
(
2009)
The role of input revisited: Nativist versus usage-based models.
L2 Journal, 1(1), 42–61.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cited by (2)
Cited by 2 other publications
Wu, Shiyu, Dilin Liu & Zan Li
2023.
Testing the Bottleneck Hypothesis: Chinese EFL learners’ knowledge of morphology and syntax across proficiency levels.
Second Language Research 39:4
► pp. 1191 ff.
![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 5 july 2024. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers.
Any errors therein should be reported to them.