On the Role of Linguistic Contextual Factors for Morphosyntactic Stabilization in High-Level L2 French

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to offer contextual linguistic explanations for morphosyntactic deviances (MSDs) in high-level second language (L2) French (30 nonnative speakers vs. 10 native speakers). It is hypothesized that the distribution of formulaic sequences (FSs) and the complexity of information structure will influence the occurrence of MSDs. The study reports that MSDs rarely occur within FSs, and if they do, they occur within sequences containing open slots for creative rule application. The rhematic part of the utterance attracts more MSDs due to the fact that this part is more syntactically complex than the preamble (the thematic part). An additional explanation is the mean length of the rhematic part, which is longer than the preamble and implies a higher processing load. A final explanation of MSD occurrence in the rheme is linked to the distribution of FSs in the information structure. The results are discussed in relation to the ongoing debate on the constructs of complexity, accuracy, and fluency—a promising area of study.

Change in French Second Language Writing in Study Abroad and Domestic Contexts

“…Hyltenstam and Abrahamsson (), as editors of a thematic issue of Studies in Second Language Acquisition devoted to scholarship on the most advanced proficiency levels in an L2, have stated that “the last phase of successful L2 acquisition is actually the one that is least well understood” (p. 177). Bartning, Lundell, and Hancock (), in characterizing “high‐level” L2 French, have referred to “the ongoing debate on the constructs of complexity, accuracy and fluency” (p. 243). The notions of complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF) are discussed in Ellis and Barkhuizen (); the rationale for using various measures of each is discussed in the following paragraphs.…”

At the Crossroads of TESOL and English Medium Instruction

“…In this specific case, expertise in TESOL and applied linguistics can contribute this observation: a hypothetical Goldilocks zone implies that participants are very advanced L2 learners. The progress of such learners is not the same as those in earlier stages (e.g., Bartning, Lundell Forsberg, & Hancock, 2012;Hyltenstam & Abrahamson, 2012), and the differences may shape the prognosis for potential language learning outcomes.…”

Measuring linguistic complexity in long‐term L2 speakers of English and L1 attriters of German

“…Finally, holistic approaches to complexity either underline the importance of taking contextual factors into account (Ortega, 2012), or point at the interrelatedness of complexity with accuracy and fluency as suggested in previous CAF studies (Housen & Kuiken, 2009;Housen, Kuiken, & Vedder, 2012;Osborne, 2011Osborne, , 2013Skehan, 2009). Contextual factors may include topic, register, audience, modality and genre (Ortega, 2012;Rimmer, 2006Rimmer, , 2008, and Bartning, Forsberg Lundell, and Hancock (2012) stress the importance of relating complexity to accuracy and fluency for a better understanding of advanced/highly proficient L2 users.…”