Collostructional transfer effects in Turkish learners of English
The intransitive-unaccusative construction
Second language acquisition studies have mainly considered transfer between two or more languages as a binary
setting, it either happens or does not. However, research emerging out of usage-based approaches show that such transfer effects
might be more gradient than ever thought before (e.g., Goschler & Stefanowitsch,
2019). Investigating a construction that has been reported to pose problems such as overpassivization to L2 English
learners, i.e., unaccusatives, this study aims to trace gradient transfer effects between Turkish and English in the
intransitive-unaccusative construction in Turkish learners of English. Following Goschler and
Stefanowitsch’s (2019) method to analyze, extract experimental items from English and Turkish corpora, and experiment
with collostructional transfer effects, the study revealed similar findings. Findings suggest that learners are likely to transfer
strongly entrenched L1 items into the L2 even at advanced proficiency levels. Interestingly, when the item is weakly entrenched in
L1, speakers attune to the input in L2 with growing proficiency. Furthermore, proficiency or experience helps with preempting
non-optimal constructional combinations. Pedagogically, the study suggests that collo-profiles may help teachers and students with
mitigating unconventional item-construction combinations at advanced levels.
Article outline
- 1.L1-L2 transfer: Usage-based perspectives
- 2.L2 constructions and unaccusativity
- 3.Methodology
- 4.Results
- 4.1Overall means of grammaticality
- 4.2Statistical analysis: ANOVA
- 5.Discussion
- 5.1Gradient transfer effects: An overview
- 5.2When proficiency is included
- 5.3Pedagogical implications
- 5.3.1Explicit teaching of the construction
- 5.3.2Fostering learning of the construction with collo-profiles
- 6.Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Note
-
References
References (72)
Abdullayeva, O.
(
1993)
The acquisition of English ergative verbs by Turkish EFL students (MA Thesis). Bilkent University. Ankara, Turkey.
Anthony, L.
(
2014)
TagAnt (2.0.4) [Computer Software]. Tokyo. Retrieved from
[URL]
Anthony, L.
(
2022)
AntConc (4.0.10) [Computer Software]. Tokyo. Retrieved from
[URL]
Azazil, L.
(
2020)
Frequency effects in the L2 acquisition of the catenative verb construction – evidence from experimental and corpus data.
Cognitive Linguistics,
31
(3), 417–451.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Balcom, P. A.
(
2001)
An application of second language acquisition research to ESL grammar teaching: What to do with novel passives.
Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 4(1), 3–23.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Bardovi-Harlig, K., Mossman, S., & Vellenga, H. E.
(
2015)
Developing Corpus-Based Materials to Teach Pragmatic Routines.
TESOL Journal,
6
(3), 499–526.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Bartning, I., & Hammarberg, B.
(
2007)
The functions of a high-frequency collocation in native and learner discourse: The case of French c’est and Swedish det är.
IRAL – International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching,
45
(1), 1–43.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Bidgood, A., Pine, J., Rowland, C., Sala, G., Freudenthal, D., & Ambridge, B.
(
2021)
Verb argument structure overgeneralisations for the English intransitive and transitive constructions: Grammaticality judgments and production priming.
Language and Cognition,
13
(3), 397–437.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Burt, M. K., & Kiparsky, C.
(
1972)
The Gooficon: A Repair Manual for English.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cabrera, M., & Zubizarreta, M. L.
(
2005)
Overgeneralization of causatives and transfer in L2 Spanish and L2 English.
Selected Proceedings of the 6th Conference on the Acquisition of Spanish and Portuguese as First and Second Languages, 15–30. Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Can, A.
(
2000)
The use of ergative verbs by Turkish learners of English (Master’s Thesis). Anadolu Üniversitesi, Eskişehir, Turkey.
Can, A.
(
2009)
Acquisition of English ergative verbs by Turkish students: Yesterday and today.
Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences,
1
(1), 2832–2837.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Chung, T.
(
2011)
The input of L2 English unaccusative verbs: EFL textbooks and teachers’ knowledge.
영어학 [
Anglistics],
11
(2), 437–464.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Dąbrowska, E.
(
2018)
Experience, aptitude and individual differences in native language ultimate attainment.
Cognition,
178
1, 222–235.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Demirci, M.
(
2001)
Acquisition of binding of English reflexives by Turkish L2 learners: A neo-gricean pragmatic account.
Journal of Pragmatics,
33
(5), 753–775.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ellis, N. C., & Ferreira-Junior, F.
(
2009)
Construction Learning as a Function of Frequency, Frequency Distribution, and Function.
The Modern Language Journal,
93
(3), 370–385.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ellis, N. C., O’Donnell, M. B., & Römer, U.
Grady, M. W.
(
1969)
Syntax and Semantics of the English Verb Phrase. Berlin: Mouton.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Garibyan, A., Balog, E., & Herbst, T.
(
2019)
L2-constructions that go together–more on valency constructions and learner language.
Yearbook of the German Cognitive Linguistics Association,
7
(1), 9–30.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gedik, T. A.
(
2022a,
July).
Creating lexicogrammatical language materials: A practical guide for foreign language teachers. Presented at the Corpus Approaches to Lexicogrammar, Edgehill University, UK.
Gedik, T. A.
(
2022b)
An Analysis of Lexicogrammatical Development in English Textbooks in Turkey: A Usage-Based Construction Grammar Approach.
Explorations in English Language and Linguistics,
9
(1), 26–55.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gedik, T. A., & Kolsal, Y. S.
(
2022)
A Corpus Based Approach to English University Entrance Exams and English High School Textbooks in Turkey.
TAPSLA,
8
(1), 157–176.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gedik, T. A., & Uslu, F.
(
2022)
L1-L2 Transfer in the Ditransitive Construction: A Usage-based Replication Study with Turkish speakers of English.
Advances in Second/Foreign Language Acquisition. Presented at the ASeFoLA, Nicosia, Cyprus. Retrieved from
[URL]
Goldberg, A. E.
(
1995)
Constructions: A construction grammar approach to argument structure. CA: University of California Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Goldberg, A. E.
(
2003)
Constructions: A new theoretical approach to language.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences,
7
(5), 219–224.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Goldberg, A. E.
(
2006)
Constructions at work: The nature of generalization in language. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Goldberg, A. E.
(
2019)
Explain me this: Creativity, competition, and the partial productivity of constructions. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Goldberg, A. E., & Casenhiser, D. M.
(
2008)
Construction learning and second language acquisition. In
P. J. Robinson &
N. C. Ellis (Eds.),
Handbook of cognitive linguistics and second language acquisition (pp. 197–215). NY: Routledge.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Goldberg, A. E., & Ferreira, F.
(
2022)
Good-enough language production.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences,
26
(4), 300–311.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Goschler, J., & Stefanowitsch, A.
(
2019)
Generalization and Transfer in L2 Acquisition: The Role of Entrenchment in L1 and L2. Presented at the ICLC. Retrieved from
[URL]
Gries, S. T.
(
2014)
Coll.analysis 3.5. A script for R to compute perform collostructional analyses.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gries, S. Th., & Stefanowitsch, A.
Gries, S. Th., & Wulff, S.
Herbst, T.
(
2016)
Foreign language learning is construction learning – what Else? Moving towards Pedagogical Construction Grammar. In
S. De Knop &
G. Gilquin (Eds.),
Applied Construction Grammar. Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Herbst, T.
(
2018)
Is Language a Collostructicon? A Proposal for Looking at Collocations, Valency, Argument Structure and Other Constructions. In
P. Cantos-Gómez &
M. Almela-Sánchez (Eds.),
Lexical Collocation Analysis (pp. 1–22). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Herbst, T., Heath, D., Roe, I. F., & Götz, D.
(
2013)
A valency dictionary of English: A corpus-based analysis of the complementation patterns of English verbs, nouns and adjectives. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ju, M. K.
(
2000)
Overpassivization errors by second language learners: The effect of conceptualizable agents in discourse.
Studies in Second Language Acquisition,
22
(1), 85–111.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Juffs, A.
(
2000)
An overview of the second language acquisition of links between verb semantics and morpho-syntax. In
J. Archibald (Ed.),
Second language acquisition and linguistic theory (pp. 170–179). NY: Wiley-Blackwell.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Karacaer, Z.
(
1998)
Anadili Türkçe olan öğrencilerin İngilizce’deki istemsiz geçişsiz fiillerde karşılaştıkları sorunlar ve bu fiillerin öğretimine ilişkin öneriler. [
Problems That Turkish Learners of English Encounter during the Acquisition of Ergatives and Some Suggestions about Teaching These Verbs]
Anadolu Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 1–2.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kellerman, E.
(
1978)
Giving learners a break: Native language intuitions as a source of predictions about transferability.
Working Papers on Bilingualism Toronto, (15), 59–92.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, H., & Hwang, H.
(
2022)
Assessing Verb-Construction Integration in Young Learners of English as a Foreign Language: Analyses of Written and Spoken Production.
Language Learning,
72
(2), 497–533.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, H., Rah, Y., & Hwang, H.
(
2020)
Testing Usage-Based Approaches to Assessing EFL Learners’ Development of English Argument Structure Constructions.
English Teaching,
75
(1), 55–78.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kondo, T., Otaki, A., Suda, K., & Shirahata, T.
(
2016)
Occurrences of Unaccusative Verbs in English Textbooks and Their Acquisition (Experimental Studies, The 45th CELES Conference in Wakayama).
Journal of the Chubu English Language Education Society,
45
1, 53–60.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Le Foll, E.
(
2021)
Creating Corpus-Informed Materials for the English as a Foreign Language Classroom: A step-by-step guide for (trainee) teachers using online resources. Zenodo.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lee, J.-H., & Kim, H. M.
(
2011)
The L2 developmental sequence of English constructions and underlying factors.
영어학 [
Anglistics],
11
(3), 577–600.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lee, J.-H., & Kim, S.-S.
(
2016)
Korean College Students’ Knowledge on English Argument Structure Constructions Depending on English Proficiency.
영어학 [
Anglistics],
16
(2), 121–142.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Liang, J.
(
2002)
Sentence comprehension by Chinese learners of English: Verb-centered or construction-based (Unpublished MA Thesis). Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangdong, China.
Madlener, K.
(
2015)
Frequency Effects In Instructed Second Language Acquisition: DeGruyter.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Madlener, K.
(
2016)
Input optimization: Effects of type and token frequency manipulations in instructed second language learning. In
H. Behrens &
S. Pfänder (Eds.),
Experience Counts: Frequency Effects in Language (pp. 133–174). Berlin: De Gruyter.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Martinez-Garcia, M. T., & Wulff, S.
(
2012)
Not wrong, yet not quite right: Spanish ESL students’ use of gerundial and infinitival complementation.
International Journal of Applied Linguistics,
22
(2), 225–244.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Matthys, J.
(
2015)
Collostructional transfer in the dative alternation (Master’s Thesis). Universiteit Gent, Ghent, Brussels.
Nakipoğlu-Demiralp, M.
(
2001)
The referential properties of the implicit arguments of impersonal passive constructions. In
E. Erguvanlı-Taylan (Ed.),
The verb in Turkish (pp. 129–150). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Oshita, H.
(
1997)
“The unaccusative trap”: L2 acquisition of English intransitive verbs. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Southern California. CA, USA.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Oshita, H.
(
2001)
The unaccusative trap in second language acquisition.
Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 23(2), 279–304.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Perlmutter, D. M.
(
1978)
Impersonal passives and the unaccusative hypothesis.
Annual meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society, 41, 157–190.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Pinker, S.
(
1989)
Learnability and Cognition, new edition: The Acquisition of Argument Structure. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Phoocharoensil, S.
(
2013)
Cross-Linguistic Influence: Its Impact on L2 English Collocation Production.
English Language Teaching,
6
(1), 1–10.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
R Core Team
(
2021)
R: A language and environment for statistical computing. Vienna, Austria: R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Retrieved from
[URL]
Römer, U., & Berger, C. M.
(
2019)
Observing the Emergence of Constructional Knowledge: Verb Patterns in German and Spanish Learners of English at Different Proficiency Levels.
Studies in Second Language Acquisition,
41
(5), 1089–1110.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Römer, U., Roberson, A., O’Donnell, M. B., & Ellis, N. C.
(
2014)
Linking learner corpus and experimental data in studying second language learners’ knowledge of verb-argument constructions.
ICAME Journal,
38
(1), 115–135.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Römer, U., & Yilmaz, S.
(
2019)
Effects of L2 usage and L1 transfer on Turkish learners’ production of English verb-argument constructions.
Vigo International Journal of Applied Linguistics, (16), 107–134.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Selinker, L.
(
1972)
Interlanguage.
IRAL – International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching,
10
(1–4).
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Shetreet, E., Friedmann, N., & Hadar, U.
(
2009)
The neural correlates of linguistic distinctions: Unaccusative and unergative verbs.
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience,
22
(10), 2306–2315.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Shin, G.-H.
(
2010)
On the contribution of argument structure constructions to sentence meaning for Korean learners of English.
ENGLISH TEACHING (
영어교육),
65
(4), 209–227.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
TNC
(
2014)
Turkish National Corpus. Retrieved from
[URL]
Valenzuela, J. V., & Rojo, A. M.
(
2008)
What can language learners tell us about constructions? Applications of Cognitive Linguistics, 91, 197.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Viana, V.
(
2022)
Teaching English with Corpora: A Resource Book (1st ed.). London: Routledge.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
White, L.
(
2003)
Second language acquisition and universal grammar. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Wolter, B., & Gyllstad, H.
(
2011)
Collocational links in the L2 mental lexicon and the influence of L1 intralexical knowledge.
Applied Linguistics,
32
(4), 430–449.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Zughoul, M. R., & Abdul-Fattah, H. S.
(
2001)
Collocational Competence of Arabic Speaking Learners of English: A Study in Lexical Semantics.
ERIC,
19
1.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cited by (1)
Cited by 1 other publications
Gedik, Tan Arda & Fatıma Uslu
2023.
L1-L2 Transfer in Ditransitive Construction: A Usage-based Replication Study with Turkish Speakers of English. In
Advances in Second/Foreign Language Acquisition,
► pp. 123 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.