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Article In: Journal of Second Language Studies: Online-First Articles

Task complexity and repetition effects on sense-aware lexical sophistication: An extension of Abdi Tabari et al.’s (2025) study on L1 and L2 learners

Evidence from L1 and L2 writers

ORCiD logo with link | University of NevadaReno, USA
ORCiD logo with link | University of Bojnord, Iran
ORCiD logo with link | The Pennsylvania State University, USA
ORCiD logo with link | Beijing Normal University, China
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
Prior research in task-based language teaching (TBLT) has examined the individual effects of Task Complexity (TC) and Task Repetition (TR) on second language (L2) written production. However, investigations into the combined influence of TR and TC on L2 written production remain scarce. Additionally, there is a dearth of TBLT studies that employ newly emerged sense-aware lexical sophistication indices in first language (L1) and L2 English writing. To bridge these research gaps, this study compared the effects of TC, TR, and their interplay on traditional word-form-based and sense-aware frequency-based indices of lexical sophistication in both L1 and L2 writing. Fifty L1 and 50 L2 writers each completed simple and complex versions of an argumentative writing task twice. The L1 and L2 essays were analyzed using three traditional and three sense-aware frequency-based indices of lexical sophistication. Linear mixed-effects models showed that TC and TR positively affected the proportion of sophisticated types and tokens in terms of both word forms and word senses, and TC also negatively affected the mean logarithmic frequency of tokens in terms of both word forms and word senses. The possible mechanisms underlying the effects observed are discussed.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Theoretical background
    • Fundamental theories informing TC
    • Unveiling the effect of TC on lexical richness in L2 writing
    • Main theories informing TR
    • Exploring the effect of TR on lexical richness in L2 writing
  • The current study
  • Methodology
    • Participants
    • L1 English speakers
  • L2 English Speakers
    • Materials
      • Writing tasks
    • Examining the validity of assumptions about cognitive task complexity
    • Procedure
    • Measuring lexical sophistication
    • Data analysis
  • Results
    • The impact of language background (L1 vs. L2)
    • The effects of task complexity — TC
  • Discussion
    • Effects of language background on lexical sophistication
    • Effects of task complexity on lexical sophistication
    • Effects of task repetition on lexical sophistication
  • Conclusion: Implications, limitations, and future research directions
  • Notes
  • Author queries
  • References
References (77)
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