Info for readers
Info for authors
Info for editors
Info for libraries
Order form
Shopping cart
Kathleen Bardovi-Harlig, Marda Rose, and Edelmira L. Nickels
113-130 (complete pdf)
This paper explores the influence of first language and level of development on the use of conventional expressions in the realization of three speech acts, namely, expressions of gratitude, apologies, and refusals. An experimental approach reproduced the conditions for the use of conventional expressions employing a computer-delivered aural-oral discourse completion task (DCT) with timed presentation of scenarios and a recorded interlocutor to simulate turn taking in scenarios that promoted high use of conventional expressions by native speakers. Learners from four levels of proficiency representing four first language groups (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean; n=108) and native speaker peers and teachers (n=49) participated in the study. Use of conventional expressions was in part mediated by first language and instructional level. The comparison of multiple L1s showed that learners of various L1s often shared production strategies. The comparison of different levels of instruction showed that learners increased their use of conventional expressions at higher levels, requiring both linguistic and sociopragmatic competence.
Published in:
Selected Proceedings of the 2007 Second Language Research Forum
edited by Melissa Bowles, Rebecca Foote, Silvia Perpiñán, and Rakesh Bhatt
Table of contents
ISBN 978-1-57473-425-6 library binding
vi+262 pages
publication date: 2008
published by Cascadilla Proceedings Project, Somerville, MA, USA