Word order and context in sentence processing: evidence from L1 and L2 Russian
IntroductionIn this paper, we studied how native (L1) speakers of Russian and speakers of Mandarin Chinese learning Russian as a foreign language (L2) process Russian sentences with different word orders. We compared SVO (canonical) and OVS (non-canonical) orders in isolation and in context. Experim...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1344366/full |
| _version_ | 1827312780765560832 |
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| author | Natalia Slioussar Natalia Slioussar Maria Harchevnik |
| author_facet | Natalia Slioussar Natalia Slioussar Maria Harchevnik |
| author_sort | Natalia Slioussar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionIn this paper, we studied how native (L1) speakers of Russian and speakers of Mandarin Chinese learning Russian as a foreign language (L2) process Russian sentences with different word orders. We compared SVO (canonical) and OVS (non-canonical) orders in isolation and in context. Experiments focusing on the L2 processing of different word orders are still not very numerous, and those using context are extremely rare.MethodsIn Experiment 1, target sentences were presented in isolation. In Experiment 2, one-sentence contexts introduced one NP mentioned in the target sentence, either the first (so that given information preceded new information, which is characteristic for Russian and many other languages) or the second. As a result, two factors could be compared: the syntactic (word order) and the contextual (whether the context is appropriate from the information-structural perspective). We used different measures to capture online and offline effects: word-by-word reading times, question-answering accuracy and sentence rating on a 1 to 5 scale (for L1 participants).Results and discussionIn both experiments, RTs and question-answering accuracy data showed that non-canonical orders were difficult for L2 participants, but not for L1 participants. However, L1 participants gave non-canonical orders lower ratings in isolation, presumably because in naturally occurring texts, they are used only in particular contexts. As for the context factor in Experiment 2, some effects were the same for L1 and L2 processing: all participants read given NPs faster than new ones and preferred sentences with a ‘given – new’ word order. The latter may reflect the universal principles of narrative coherence. However, unlike native speakers, L2 readers are not sensitive to more subtle contextual requirements of different word orders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T21:50:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bb9b889c38fe41ac909c552e1314b65e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T21:50:25Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-bb9b889c38fe41ac909c552e1314b65e2024-03-20T14:42:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782024-03-011510.3389/fpsyg.2024.13443661344366Word order and context in sentence processing: evidence from L1 and L2 RussianNatalia Slioussar0Natalia Slioussar1Maria Harchevnik2School of Linguistics, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, RussiaInstitute for Cognitive Studies, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, RussiaInstitute for Cognitive Studies, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, RussiaIntroductionIn this paper, we studied how native (L1) speakers of Russian and speakers of Mandarin Chinese learning Russian as a foreign language (L2) process Russian sentences with different word orders. We compared SVO (canonical) and OVS (non-canonical) orders in isolation and in context. Experiments focusing on the L2 processing of different word orders are still not very numerous, and those using context are extremely rare.MethodsIn Experiment 1, target sentences were presented in isolation. In Experiment 2, one-sentence contexts introduced one NP mentioned in the target sentence, either the first (so that given information preceded new information, which is characteristic for Russian and many other languages) or the second. As a result, two factors could be compared: the syntactic (word order) and the contextual (whether the context is appropriate from the information-structural perspective). We used different measures to capture online and offline effects: word-by-word reading times, question-answering accuracy and sentence rating on a 1 to 5 scale (for L1 participants).Results and discussionIn both experiments, RTs and question-answering accuracy data showed that non-canonical orders were difficult for L2 participants, but not for L1 participants. However, L1 participants gave non-canonical orders lower ratings in isolation, presumably because in naturally occurring texts, they are used only in particular contexts. As for the context factor in Experiment 2, some effects were the same for L1 and L2 processing: all participants read given NPs faster than new ones and preferred sentences with a ‘given – new’ word order. The latter may reflect the universal principles of narrative coherence. However, unlike native speakers, L2 readers are not sensitive to more subtle contextual requirements of different word orders.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1344366/fullword ordercontextinformation structuresecond language processingRussian |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Slioussar Natalia Slioussar Maria Harchevnik Word order and context in sentence processing: evidence from L1 and L2 Russian Frontiers in Psychology word order context information structure second language processing Russian |
| title | Word order and context in sentence processing: evidence from L1 and L2 Russian |
| title_full | Word order and context in sentence processing: evidence from L1 and L2 Russian |
| title_fullStr | Word order and context in sentence processing: evidence from L1 and L2 Russian |
| title_full_unstemmed | Word order and context in sentence processing: evidence from L1 and L2 Russian |
| title_short | Word order and context in sentence processing: evidence from L1 and L2 Russian |
| title_sort | word order and context in sentence processing evidence from l1 and l2 russian |
| topic | word order context information structure second language processing Russian |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1344366/full |
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