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Article published In:
Pragmatics
Vol. 13:2 (2003) ► pp.231–251

Formulaic speech in the L2 classroom

An attempt at identification and classification

This study looks into one context of Formulaic Speech (FS) usage: The partial L2 immersion class. It tries to define and classify FS according to Raupach’s contextual list (1984) and lexical criteria as well as differentiating it from creative speech. FS is presented mostly as a pragmatic concept challenging the usual conceptions of language acquisition as an analytical process. Also challenged is the idea that language production is based on analysis of the input followed by production out of parsed output. In a Second Language Acquisition perspective, FS is shown as being a temporary stage of acquisition which, among other aspects, enables the speaker to reach idiomaticity in his or her L2 and thereby efficient communication with native speakers.
Keywords: Partial immersion, Communicative competence, Formulaic speech, Second language acquisition, Second language production
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) 4.0 license.
Published online: 1 June 2003
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https://doi.org/10.1075/prag.13.2.02gir
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