First Language Transfer in Chinese Undergraduates’ Use of Connectors in English Narratives
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19357835 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Yanqin Ma (0009-0000-8637-7180, University of Technology Malaysia), Mahani Stapa (0000-0002-8220-9531, University of Technology Malaysia) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 131-159 |
| Publication date | 2024-07-31 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS) (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0127-9386 • E-ISSN: 0127-9319 |
| Publisher | SCI AND TECH UNIVERSAL INC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp131-159 |
| OpenAlex | W4401169547 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 11 |
Background and Purpose: Connectors are vital tools for cohesive discourse, significantly influencing the writing proficiency of learners. In Chinese educational contexts, many learners grapple with the correct application of connectors, due to potential first language (L1) influence. Previous research primarily delves into lexical and syntactic aspects, overlooking discourse-level considerations. This study aims to assess the frequency and accuracy of connector usage in English narratives among Chinese learners. It also seeks to investigate the extent of language transfer concerning connectors among Chinese learners and discern how this transfer evolves as learners' second language (L2) proficiency advances. Methodology: To amass data, 150 narratives composed by 30 Chinese learners were analyzed. Initial qualitative analysis was followed by quantitative examination. Findings: The findings underscore temporal words as the most frequently employed connectors, closely trailed by additives and causal words. Notably, temporal words and adversatives exhibited higher accuracy when compared to other connector types. Positive transfer manifested more frequently than negative transfer. Moreover, positive transfer displayed a noticeable inflectional change across the five-time narratives, whereas little variation was observed in negative transfer. Contributions: This study suggests that stakeholders, including educators, learners, and policymakers, should leverage positive transfer as a strategic resource when instructing connectors to enhance L2 writing proficiency. Keywords: First language, language transfer, connector, narratives, Chinese undergraduates. Cite as: Ma, Y. Q., & Stapa, M. B. (2024). First language transfer in Chinese undergraduates’ use of connectors in English narratives. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(2), 131-159. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp131-159
Linguistics · Narrative · Sociology · Transfer (computing) · Computer Science · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philosophy · Psychology · Second Language Learning and Teaching
Language, Context, and Text
The Study of Second Language Acquisition
Mandarin Chinese
The use of conjunctive adverbials in the academic papers of advanced Taiwanese EFL learners
Cohesive features in argumentative writing produced by Chinese undergraduates
Advanced learners’ comprehension of discourse connectives
Academic Writing and Chinese Students
Longman English Grammar
The Emergence of Complexity, Fluency, and Accuracy in the Oral and Written Production of Five Chinese Learners of English
A Dynamic Systems Theory approach to second language acquisition
Connector usage in the English essay writing of native and non-native EFL speakers of English
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |