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L1 and L2 language processing in written production and perception: Null objects in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Ramirez Maraver, Rocio LU (2021) SPVR01 20212
General Linguistics
Master's Programme: Language and Linguistics
Abstract
This thesis studies the processing of null objects in the L2 English of two groups with a similar L1 background, Brazilian Portuguese and European Spanish native speakers. Previous research (Alamillo, 2009; Sainzmaza-Lecanda & Schwenter, 2017) reported similarities and contrasts in the two languages regarding null object expression. However, research on null objects lacks a fuller perspective that considers both production and perception processes, on the one hand; and more studies in L2 English, on the other. Especially considering the languages above.
The present study focuses on both language production and perception of null objects, by assessing null object expressions, pauses and revisions in production; and acceptability and... (More)
This thesis studies the processing of null objects in the L2 English of two groups with a similar L1 background, Brazilian Portuguese and European Spanish native speakers. Previous research (Alamillo, 2009; Sainzmaza-Lecanda & Schwenter, 2017) reported similarities and contrasts in the two languages regarding null object expression. However, research on null objects lacks a fuller perspective that considers both production and perception processes, on the one hand; and more studies in L2 English, on the other. Especially considering the languages above.
The present study focuses on both language production and perception of null objects, by assessing null object expressions, pauses and revisions in production; and acceptability and reaction times in perception. To do so, 40 participants (23 L1 Brazilian Portuguese and 17 L1 European Spanish speakers) were recruited online, and two elicitation tasks were designed. The data was analyzed for differences between the groups in both their L1 and L2. The results indicated that the L1 Portuguese and the L1 Spanish speakers exhibit a somewhat different processing of null objects in L2 English. Overall, the L1 Portuguese speakers displayed processing difficulties in both tasks, whereas the L1 Spanish speakers showed more difficulties in perception. Despite these differences, both groups presented similarities in the number of pauses, revisions and characters during the production of null objects as well as in the acceptability rate of grammatical null objects in English.
When compared with models of written production and perception, both groups spent more time in the translating and reviewing steps of written production. In perception, the L1 Spanish speakers processed English null objects more native-like than the L1 Portuguese speakers. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Ramirez Maraver, Rocio LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
L1 and L2 processing in written production and perception: Null objects in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
course
SPVR01 20212
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
L2 sentence processing, transfer, cross-linguistic influence, null object, clitic pronoun, writing production, language perception, keystroke logging
language
English
Portuguese
Spanish
id
9066471
date added to LUP
2021-10-05 12:37:13
date last changed
2021-10-05 12:37:13
@misc{9066471,
  abstract     = {{This thesis studies the processing of null objects in the L2 English of two groups with a similar L1 background, Brazilian Portuguese and European Spanish native speakers. Previous research (Alamillo, 2009; Sainzmaza-Lecanda & Schwenter, 2017) reported similarities and contrasts in the two languages regarding null object expression. However, research on null objects lacks a fuller perspective that considers both production and perception processes, on the one hand; and more studies in L2 English, on the other. Especially considering the languages above.
The present study focuses on both language production and perception of null objects, by assessing null object expressions, pauses and revisions in production; and acceptability and reaction times in perception. To do so, 40 participants (23 L1 Brazilian Portuguese and 17 L1 European Spanish speakers) were recruited online, and two elicitation tasks were designed. The data was analyzed for differences between the groups in both their L1 and L2. The results indicated that the L1 Portuguese and the L1 Spanish speakers exhibit a somewhat different processing of null objects in L2 English. Overall, the L1 Portuguese speakers displayed processing difficulties in both tasks, whereas the L1 Spanish speakers showed more difficulties in perception. Despite these differences, both groups presented similarities in the number of pauses, revisions and characters during the production of null objects as well as in the acceptability rate of grammatical null objects in English.
When compared with models of written production and perception, both groups spent more time in the translating and reviewing steps of written production. In perception, the L1 Spanish speakers processed English null objects more native-like than the L1 Portuguese speakers.}},
  author       = {{Ramirez Maraver, Rocio}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{L1 and L2 language processing in written production and perception: Null objects in English, Portuguese and Spanish.}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}