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THE INCIDENTAL ACQUISITION OF SPANISH

Future Tense MorphologyThrough Reading in a Second Language

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2002

James F. Lee
Affiliation:
Indiana University
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Abstract

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The present study examines the processing of Spanish future tense morphology incidentallywhile reading in a second language. Previous L1 and L2 reading research has demonstrated thatreaders can acquire new vocabulary as a result of reading, but can they also acquire formalproperties of the second language grammatical system? The participants in the present study hadno previous knowledge of future tense morphology such that, as they read the passage used in thestudy, they encountered the target form for the first time, which is an accented á on the end of an infinitive—for example, dependerá “he, she, or it will depend.” Several variables were manipulated: (a) the frequency with which the target form appeared in the input passages (6, 10, or 16 exposures); (b) thelearner-readers' orientation to the task (neutral, meaning oriented, or form oriented); and(c) cues to meaning (the presence or absence of future-oriented adverbials). The effects of thesevariables were measured on both comprehension and input processing immediately after reading,2 weeks later, and 1 month later. Comprehension was measured with a free-written recall and amultiple-choice comprehension test. Input processing was measured with a multiple-choice formrecognition test and a modified cloze-form production test. The results indicate that all threevariables have some effect on comprehension and input processing.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2002 Cambridge University Press