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Article published In:
Register Studies
Vol. 5:1 (2023) ► pp.111–135

An experimental approach to colloquiality perception in L1 and L2 Spanish

| University of Wyoming

Most studies on register have only approached it from the point of view of production rather than perception. However, features associated with less formal registers could vary in production and perception, particularly in the case of L2. Here an experimental methodology is used to look at five morphosyntactic linguistic features commonly considered more colloquial in Spanish and compare their effect in perceiving a sentence as more or less formal in two different groups of Spanish speakers, L1 and L2. Results show differences between the two groups, in the effect and weight of some of the experimental conditions and their interactions. These differences can be explained in terms of register input received in the classroom and perceptibility and processing impact of some of the features. The paper concludes with a discussion of the methodological challenges of this type of study as well as how it can complement register production studies.

Keywords: colloquial Spanish, L2 register, L1 register, register perception, explicit instruction
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Register acquisition and perception in L2
    • 2.1Relevance of register acquisition
    • 2.2Colloquiality and perception in L2
  • 3.Notions of colloquial language
  • 4.Previous findings on registers and colloquiality in Spanish
    • 4.1Some implications of notions and empirical findings for an approach to colloquiality
  • 5.Methods
    • 5.1Test design: Selection of colloquial features
    • 5.2Test design: Format
    • 5.3Participants
    • 5.4Tabulation and statistical treatment
  • 6.Results
  • 7.Discussion
  • 8.Conclusions: Colloquiality perception in L2 and L1, challenges and future
    • 8.1Implications for teaching and future research
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 27 January 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/rs.20025.che
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