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Part of
Interfaces in Grammar
Edited by Jianhua Hu and Haihua Pan
[Language Faculty and Beyond 15] 2019
► pp. 341–362

Chapter 12
Syntax/semantics interface and interpretation of Chinese NP1NP2V construction by Japanese speakers

| Shanghai International Studies University
| Shanghai International Studies University

Sorace’s (2005, 2006) Interface Hypothesis proposed that properties of syntax are relatively easier to acquire than ones involving interfaces. The article provides supporting evidence with a study investigating second language (L2) acquisition of the interpretation of Chinese NP1NP2V construction by Japanese speakers. The canonical OSV interpretation for Chinese NP1NP2V is considered a syntactic property. The acceptability of SOV interpretation for Chinese NP1NP2V depends on the combined effects of the semantic compatibility factor and the prominence factor, which involve the syntax-semantics interface. The results show that Japanese speakers can acquire the canonical OSV interpretation; but they have difficulties in accessing prominence to distinguish the acceptable SOV interpretation from the unacceptable one.

Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Theoretical accounts on the agent role assignment in Chinese and Japanese NP1NP2V
  • 3.Previous studies on L2 acquisition of Chinese NP1NP2V
  • 4.Empirical study
    • 4.1Research questions
    • 4.2Methodology
      • 4.2.1Participants
      • 4.2.2Materials and procedure
    • 4.3Results
      • 4.3.1Methods of data analysis
      • 4.3.2Analysis in terms of proficiency groups
        • Results on the agent selection task
        • Results on the sentence judgment task
      • 4.3.3Analysis in terms of word order groups
  • 5.Discussion
    • 5.1In support of Version 1 of the Interface Hypothesis
    • 5.2Learners rigidify Chinese OSV order
    • 5.3Learners rely on animacy (semantic compatibility)
    • 5.4Some unexpected responses
  • 6.Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 15 April 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/lfab.15.12zen
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