Abstract
This article reports a study on the impact of L2 Korean on L1 Chinese lexical diversity and grammar in written expressions by Chinese bilinguals proficient in Korean. The statistical analysis showed that the cross-linguistic effects of L2 on L1 were significant although such impact was bidirectional. There were significantly more grammar errors and longer retrieval time committed by the bilingual group which implied negative L2 transfer to L1. Meanwhile, L2 also showed a positive influence on lexical diversity as there was no decline in lexical richness but an increase in lexical variations, and this indicated that L2-induced patterns did not replace or deteriorate L1 but instead added additional options to L1 expressions. This phenomenon can be characterized as the addition of new concepts and linguistic options to the already-existing L1 and conceptual repertoire. Specifically, meta-linguistic competence was enhanced. This research supports the theory of interference on L1 by the use of L2 (negative transfer), but it could also be enhanced by L2 (positive transfer).
About the authors
Cai Chunpeng completed her doctoral studies at the Konkuk University of the Republic of Korea and majored in English Linguistics & Education. She is the lecturer of Foreign Languages College of Bohai University. Her areas of expertise are in second language acquisition, language research methodology, and linguistic statistics.
Ahn Hee-Don is Professor of English Linguistics & Literature Department of Konkuk University in the Republic of Korea. He is the president of the Korean Generative Grammar Circle, the Coeditor-in-Chief of Language and Linguistics, vice president of the Linguistic Society of Korea, vice president of the Korean Society for Cognitive Science and the president of Division of Interdisciplinary Studies of Konkuk University. His research interest is on syntactic theories (Minimalist Approaches) and second language acquisition.
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Professor AHN Hee-Don, who led me into the research world of second language acquisition. His constant encouragement and guidance has walked me through all the stages of this research.
References
Bou Franch, P. (1998). On pragmatic transfer. Studies in English language and linguistics, 0,5-20.Search in Google Scholar
Cenoz, J. (2003). The intercultural style hypothesis: L1 and L2 interaction in requesting behavior. In V. Cook (Ed.), Effects of the second language on the first (pp. 62-80). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781853596346-006Search in Google Scholar
Cook, V. J. (1991). The poverty of stimulus argument and multi-competence. Second Language Research, 7, 103-117.Search in Google Scholar
Cook, V. J. (2002a). Background to the L2 user. In V. J. Cook (Ed.) Portraits of the L2 User (pp.1-28). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781853595851-003Search in Google Scholar
Cook, V. J. (2003). Effects of the second language on the first. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781853596346Search in Google Scholar
Cunningham, T. H., & Graham, C. R. (2000). Increasing native English vocabulary recognition through Spanish immersion: Cognate transfer from foreign to first language. Journal of Educational Psychology, 92, 37-49.10.1037/0022-0663.92.1.37Search in Google Scholar
De Bot, K., Gommans, P., & Rossing, C. (1991). L1 loss in an L2 environment: Dutch immigrants in France. In H. W. Seliger & R. M. Vago (Eds.), First language attrition. Cambridge: Crambridge University Press, 87-98.10.1017/CBO9780511620720.006Search in Google Scholar
Dewaele, J-M. (1999). Word order variation in French interrogative structures. ITL Review of Applied Linguistics, 125-126, 160-180.10.1075/itl.125-126.01dewSearch in Google Scholar
Jaspaert, K., & Kroon, S. (1992). From the typewriter of AL: A case study in language loss. In W. Fase, K. Jaspaert & S. Kroon (Eds.), Maintenance and loss of minority languages. Amsterdam/ Philadelphia: John Benjamins, pp.137-147.10.1075/sibil.1.11jasSearch in Google Scholar
Jaspaert, K. & S. Kroon (1992). From the typewriter of A.L.: A case study in language loss. In W. Fase, K. Jaspaert and S. Kroon (eds), Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages. 137-47.10.1075/sibil.1.11jasSearch in Google Scholar
Kecskes, I. (2000). Foreign language and mother tongue. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.10.4324/9781410606464Search in Google Scholar
Köpke, B. (2002). Activation thresholds and non-pathological first language attrition. In F. Fabbro (Ed.), Advances in the neurolinguistics of bilingualism. Undine: Forum, pp. 119-142.Search in Google Scholar
Koufman, D., & Aronoff, M. (1991). Morphological disintegration and reconstruction in first language attrition. In H. W. Seliger & R. M. Vago (Eds.), First language attrition (pp. 175-188). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.10.1017/CBO9780511620720.012Search in Google Scholar
Laufer, B. (2003). The Influence of L2 on L1 collocational knowledge and on L1 lexical diversity in free written expression. In V. Cook (Ed.), Effects of the second language on the first (pp. 19-31). Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781853596346-004Search in Google Scholar
Laufer, B., & Elliason, S. (1993). What causes avoidance in L2 learning: L1-L2 difference, L1-L2 similarity, or L2 complexity? Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 15, 35-48.10.1017/S0272263100011657Search in Google Scholar
MacWhinney B. (1992). The Competition Model and Foreign Language Acquisition. In: Swartz M.L., Yazdani M. (eds) Intelligent Tutoring Systems for Foreign Language Learning. NATO ASI Series (Series F: Computer and Systems Sciences), vol 80. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.Search in Google Scholar
Milla, C. (2008). First-language transfer and universal markedness in second-language production and perception of word-final obstruents and obstruent clusters. Unpublished MA Thesis, University of Florida.Search in Google Scholar
Murphy, S. (2003). Second language transfer during third language acquisition. TESOL and Applied Linguistics, 3(2): 1-21.Search in Google Scholar
Odlin, T. (1990). Word order transfer, metalinguistic awareness, and constraints on foreign language learning. In B. Van Patten & J.E. Lee (Eds.), Second language acquisition/foreign language learning (pp. 95-117). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.Search in Google Scholar
Olshtain, E. (1983). Sociocultural competence and language transfer: The case of apologies. In S. Gass & L. Selinker (Eds.), Language transfer in language learning (pp.232-249). Rowley, MA: Newbury House.Search in Google Scholar
Phoocharoensil, S. (2013). Cross-linguistic influence: Its impact on L2 English collocation production. English Language Teaching, 6, 1-10.10.5539/elt.v6n1p1Search in Google Scholar
Purcell, E., & Suter, R. (1980). Predictors of pronunciation accuracy: A reexamination. Language Learning, 30, 271-287.10.1111/j.1467-1770.1980.tb00319.xSearch in Google Scholar
Ringbom, H. (1978). The influence of the mother tongue on the translation of lexical items.Interlanguage Studies Bulletin, 3, 80-101.Search in Google Scholar
Rȍder, B., Demuth, L., Streb, J., & Rȍsler, F. (2003). Semantic and syntactic priming in auditory word recognition in congenitally blind adults. Language and Cognitive Processes, 18(1), 1-20.10.1080/01690960143000407Search in Google Scholar
Sridhar, S. (1994). A reality check for SLA theories. TESOL Quarterly, 28, 800-805.10.2307/3587565Search in Google Scholar
Winreich, U. (1953). Languages in contact. The Hague: Mouton.Search in Google Scholar
Yelland, G., Pollard, J., & Mercuri, A. (1993).The metalinguistic benefits of limited contact with a second language. Applied Psycholinguistics, 14(4), 423-444.10.1017/S0142716400010687Search in Google Scholar
Zareva, A., Schwanenflugel, P., & Nikolova, Y. (2005). Relationship between lexical competence and language proficiency — variable sensitivity. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 27(4), 567-595.10.1017/S0272263105050254Search in Google Scholar
© 2017 FLTRP, Walter de Gruyter, Cultural and Education Section British Embassy
