[ p. 432 ]Variational learning in L2
The transfer of L1 syntax and parsing strategies in the interpretation of wh-questions by L1 German learners of L2 English
Tom Rankin | Vienna University of Economics and Business
This study examines the interpretation of constituent wh-questions in L2 English by learners whose L1 is Austrian German. Austrian German and English share identical surface word order patterns for a range of question forms, but with distinct semantic interpretations. Non-target patterns of interpretation show that the learners ay high levels of proficiency continue to optionally parse English questions with the L1 syntax. The continued presence of thematic verb movement and head-final VP syntax in L1 German-L2 English interlanguage challenges previous findings that headedness is reset very early and that V2 is realised by auxiliary verbs. This is analysed as an instance of Variational Learning (Yang, 2002), whereby the L1 grammar is accessed to parse L2 input where possible. The L1 syntactic representation thus continues to be available at high proficiency levels to parse input strings that are linearly compatible, giving rise in the case of L1 German-L2 English to non-target parses and interpretation of wh-questions.
Keywords: parsing, L1 transfer, parameters, headedness, verb second, variational learning
Published online: 08 December 2014
https://doi.org/10.1075/lab.4.4.02ran
https://doi.org/10.1075/lab.4.4.02ran
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This list is based on CrossRef data as of 08 march 2021. 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.
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