Abstract:
Lexicalization-patterns, the way words are mapped onto concepts, differ from one language to another. This study investigated the influence of first language (L1) lexicalization patterns on the processing of second language (L2) words in sentential contexts by both less proficient and more proficient Persian learners of English. The focus was on cases where two different senses of a polysemous word in Persian are realized by two independent words in English. For example, Persian uses ‘هﺎѧﻣ’ to refer to both ‘moon’ and ‘month’ in English. In the present study, the researchers examined the processing of English translations (moon, month) of polysemous Persian words such as ‘هﺎѧﻣ’ in a semantic anomaly judgment task. The participants who were two groups of more proficient and less proficient Persian learners of English were presented with two types of anomalous sentences: anomalous test sentences in which one of the two English words (e.g., month) was used in a context where the other word (e.g., moon) was appropriate (e.g., "A pleasant thing to watch at night is a full month") and anomalous control sentences in which the same word was used in a context where neither of the two words was appropriate (e.g., "A pleasant thing to eat at night is a full month"). The participants were asked to judge, as quickly and accurately as possible, whether the final word could complete the sentence meaningfully (YES response) or whether the final word was semantically unacceptable (NO response). The participants’ reaction time (RT) for correct No responses and their errorrates were recorded using DMDX, a psycholinguistics experimentation software package. Using two General Linear Model Repeated Measures, a main effect of sentence type was obtained in the analysis of both RT and errors. Also, there was an interaction between sentence type and proficiency level in the analysis of both RT and errors. The results are discussed in terms of the activation of the semantic specifications of L1 translation equivalent of L2 words.
Machine summary:
This study investigated the influence of first language (L1) lexicalization patterns on the processing of second language (L2) words in sentential contexts by both less proficient and more proficient Persian learners of English.
In the present study, the researchers examined the processing of English translations (moon, month) of polysemous Persian words such as ‘هﺎѧﻣ’ in a semantic anomaly judgment task.
The word association model (Figure 1), proposes a bilingual memory architecture in which the bilingual’s two languages interact at the lexical level, based on translation equivalents, and the bilingual’s L2 is subordinated to the L1; Access to the conceptual Figure 1.
However, if semantic specifications of L1 translation equivalents of L2 words are activated, as the semantic transfer hypothesis suggests, compared to the control sentences, the learners should show slower reaction times or increased error rates on the test sentences because of the appropriateness of the L1 translation equivalent words in that context.
more proficient learners) and the within-participant factor of Sentence Type (anomalous test sentences in which Persian translation of the sentence-final English word was acceptable vs.
Appendices Appendix 1: The Ten Polysemous Persian Words and Their Two Different English Translations The polysemous Persian word The two different English translations ﺖﻋﺎﺳ Hour & Clock هﺎﻣ Moon & Month اﺪﺻ Sound & Voice ﻞﺼﻓ Season & Chapter نﺎﺑز Tongue & Language ﻢﺳا Name & Noun ﮓﻧر Color & Paint ﻦﯿﻣز Earth & Ground فﺪھ Purpose & Target ﺢﻄﺳ Level & Surface Appendix 2: Anomalous Test Sentences 1.