Tokowicz, N. , Tolentino, L. , Warren, T. & Tuninetti, A.
Department of Psychology and Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
In five experiments using converging methodologies, we examined the extent to which adult beginning learners of a second language (L2) are sensitive to violations of L2 (morpho)syntax. We examine this issue with respect to first language (L1)-L2 similarity under the Competition Model framework (e.g., MacWhinney, 2005). Constructions: (a) were formed similarly in L1 and L2; (b) were formed differently in L1 and L2 such that the relevant cues differed in the two languages; and (c) existed only in L2. In experiments 1-3, native English speakers in the beginning stages of learning Spanish as adults were tested using self-paced reading, event-related brain potentials (ERPs), and grammaticality judgments. The overall pattern of results suggests that beginning adult learners are sensitive to violations of constructions formed similarly in the two languages. The results for constructions formed differently in the two languages and that are unique to L2 are less consistent, with the different constructions demonstrating sensitivity in two experiments and the unique demonstrating sensitivity in only one. In Experiment 4, native English speakers were trained on the morphosyntax of Swedish to test whether particular instructional methods varying in their explicitness may be best suited to teaching similar, different, and unique constructions. Learners’ ERPs differed as a function of instructional training; an interaction between instructional group and L1-L2 similarity indicated that instruction methods that direct learners’ attention to critical aspects of input and provide rules may be particularly effective for instructing L2 features that are distinct from L1. In a fifth experiment, Arabic-English moderately-proficient bilinguals were presented violations of English syntax in constructions that were similar or different from Arabic while their eye movements were monitored using eyetracking. Preliminary results indicate that these bilinguals detect such violations very early in processing.