Asymmetries of null subjects and null objects in L1-English and L1-Japanese learners' Chinese

Bibliographic Data

ID5110686
AuthorsHui Chang (0009-0003-1497-5853, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, corresponding author), Lina Zheng (0000-0002-8412-3344, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics)
Year2018
Volume56
Issue5
Pages1141-1166
Publication date2018-08-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLinguistics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0024-3949 • E-ISSN: 1613-396X
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1515/ling-2018-0021
OpenAlexW2889470230
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited18

Based on the HSK Dynamic Composition Corpus, this study investigated the use of Chinese null arguments by advanced adult L1-English and L1-Japanese learners with Chinese native speakers as a baseline. Several asymmetries were found. First, the learners produced many more null subjects than null objects. Second, null subjects were mainly animate, while null objects were mainly inanimate. Third, more null subjects were used in non-matrix clauses than in matrix clauses. In addition, L1 did not seem to play a significant role in the learners' use of Chinese null arguments, and the learners' use Chinese null arguments was generally not native-like. Finally, it appears that null objects are not transferable or developmental and that infrequent use of null objects is universal in L2. It was argued that positive evidence in the target input as well as the nature of the subject and the object led to the asymmetric use of null subjects and null objects in L2 Chinese

Combinatorics · Linguistics · Null (SQL) · Null hypothesis · Null model · Statistics · Computer Science · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Mathematics · Philosophy · Psychology · Second Language Acquisition and Learning · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation

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