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Research projects
list
Funding body
Research Period
Research team
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Dr. Amaya Mendikoetxea,
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (project leader)
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Dr. Gema Chocano, Universidad
Autónoma de Madrid
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Dr. Laura Domínguez, University of
Southampton
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Esther Ferrandis, Universidad Autónoma de
Madrid (research assistant)
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Dr. Cristóbal Lozano, Universidad de
Granada
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Dr. Paul Rollinson, Universidad Autónoma de
Madrid
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Iván Teomiro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Project description
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MAIN AIM: The main objective of this
project is to study the factors causing optionality and pseudo-optionality
in the non native grammars of L2 learners of English (L1 Spanish) and L2
learners of Spanish (L1 English) at different proficiency levels.
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THEORETICAL ASSUMPTIONS: Our starting
point is that optionality in non native grammars is a particular case of
variation in developing grammars.
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INITIAL HYPOTHESES:Within this context
we will examine the validity of the following hypotheses:
(1) Optionality is in part determined by
competition between L1 and L2 forms (intermediate stages) and by competition
between two L2 forms in apparently free variation in the input which yield
different discursive interpretations (advanced and near native states);
(2) At different proficiency levels variation
is located in different areas of the grammar (the computational system or
syntax at beginner and intermediate stages and the interfaces at advanced
and near native stages)
(3) Advanced learners exhibit residual
optionality in the syntax-discourse interface, as argued by Sorace (2000,
2004, 2005), but this optionality is due to syntactic deficits, rather than
pragmatic deficits, contrary to what is claimed by this linguist.
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METHOD AND INSTRUMENTS: To verify
these hypotheses we need to consult large datasets and to improve existing
tools for analysis. In order to achieve that, we will establish a working
definition of optionality, which will allow for quantitative and qualitative
analyses of the phenomenon and we will develop information structure scales,
as well as syntactic/phonological complexity scales (‘heaviness) of the
constituents involved in optionality processes. Data will be extracted from
L2 English and L2 Spanish corpora, as well as native corpora, and will be
analysed along with data elicited through experimental techniques, such as
magnitude estimation, which yields subtler judgements than classical
acceptatibility tasks. The objective is to obtain converging evidence on
which to base our results.
Funding body
Research Period
Members
Project description
-
MAIN PURPOSE: The main purpose
of this project is to determine the lexicon-syntax and syntax-discourse
properties which constrain word order in the interlanguage of L2
learners of English (with L1 Spanish) and L2 learners of Spanish (with
L1 English).
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BASIC THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: In particular, we wish to examine the validity of the
Unaccusative Hypothesis at the lexicon-syntax interface
and the role of discourse functions such as topic and focus at the
syntax-discourse interface in L2 Spanish and English.
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HYPOTHESES: Our initial
hypotheses are the following: (1) The Unaccusative Hypothesis plays
a role in word order in L2 learners’ interlanguage; (2) Lexicon-syntax
properties are acquired before syntax-discourse properties, i.e.,
properties at the lexicon-syntax interface are present in the
initial stages of grammatical development, while properties at
syntax-discourse interface are persistently difficult to acquire and
generate deficits even at advanced levels of proficiency; (3) Interlanguages have structures that cannot be explained with
reference to L1 or L2, but rather reflect universal properties of
languages. To test these hypotheses, a corpus will be compiled and
appropriate searching tools will be developed.
-
DATA ANALYSIS: The data obtained
will be analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The
interpretation of the data will be done within a comparative
framework which will help determine the role of L1 in L2 acquisition
in the grammar areas of the study.
-
METHOD: learner corpora.
We are currently collecting data to create a L1
Spanish - L2 English corpus of written essays by university
students. In the next few months we will start collecting a similar
corpus in L1 English - L2 Spanish.
Funding body
Research Period
Members
Project description
-
MAIN PURPOSE: The main purpose
of this project is to specify the lexicon-syntax and syntax-discourse
properties which determine word order in the interlanguage of L2
learners of English (with L1 Spanish) and L2 learners of Spanish (with
L1 English).
-
BASIC THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: In particular, we wish to examine the validity of the
Unaccusative Hypothesis at the lexicon-syntax interface
and the role of discourse functions such as topic and focus at the
syntax-discourse interface in L2 Spanish and English.
-
HYPOTHESES: Our initial
hypotheses are the following: (1) The Unaccusative Hypothesis plays
a role in word order in L2 learners’ interlanguage; (2) Lexicon-syntax
properties are acquired before syntax-discourse properties, i.e.,
properties at the lexicon-syntax interface are present in the
initial stages of grammatical development, while properties at
syntax-discourse interface are persistently difficult to acquire and
generate deficits even at advanced levels of proficiency; (3)
Interlanguages have structures that cannot be explained with
reference to L1 or L2, but rather reflect universal properties of
languages. To test these hypotheses, a corpus will be compiled and
appropriate searching tools will be developed.
-
DATA ANALYSIS: The data obtained
will be analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The
interpretation of the data will be done within a comparative
framework which will help determine the role of L1 in L2 acquisition
in the grammar areas of the study.
-
METHOD: learner corpora.
We are currently collecting data to create a L1
Spanish - L2 English corpus of written essays by university
students. In the next few months we will start collecting a similar
corpus in L1 English - L2 Spanish.
Funding body
Research Period
Members
Project description
-
Creation of a computerised sub-curpus
of written academic essays by university students of English (3rd
and 4th year: advanced).
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Error Analysis to determine advanced
learners' interlanguage (Grammar and Lexicon-Grammar
interface).
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Contrastive analysis
with several subcorpora of the ICLE (International Corpus of Learner
English).
Funding body
Research Period
Members
Project description
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The Xarxa Temàtica en Gramática Teòrica is funded by the Catalan Regional
Government (2002XT 00036). Its goal is to promote and maintain contact
among the most prominent research groups in grammatical theory. It consists
of 7 groups of researchers. It is coordinated by the Grup de Gramàtica
Teòrica of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
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See website:
http://seneca.uab.es/filologiacatalana/investigacio/xarxes/gramatica-teorica.htm
Funding body
Research Period
Members
Project description
-
The goal of this project is to develop pedagogical materials for the
course English Language I in English Philology at the Universidad
Autónoma de Madrid in order to improve their grammatical competence of
students whose mother tongue is Spanish and who must use English both
as an ‘instrument’ for their studies as well as their ‘object’ of
their studies.
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To achieve this goal we will: (a) create a database of errors made by
students in the essays they produce for the Academic Writing Component
of English Language I, II and III; (b) elaborate pedagogical materials
on the web on the basis of the errors collected, as part of the
Grammar Component of English Language I and also as a complement to
the other components. Exercises and tasks may count as practical
credits.
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17/11/2009
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