SLC New Colleagues Research Seminar Series | L2 Acquisition of Number Marking in a Classifier Language: Evidence from Indonesian
SLC New Colleagues Research Seminar Series
L2 Acquisition of Number Marking in a Classifier Language: Evidence from Indonesian
Mr David Wijaya (Indonesian Studies)
Friday, 5 May 2023, 4–5:30pm AEST (Sydney time)
Abstract
Languages differ in how they encode number. In languages like English, German, Spanish and French, number is obligatorily marked (e.g., I saw 4 horses), but in languages like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Indonesian, number marking is optional (e.g., I saw horse). When number is expressed in the latter languages, classifiers are used (e.g., I saw 4 CLS horse). How difficult is it then for learners of English as a first language (L1) to learn to express number in a classifier language? Previous studies have mostly been concerned with the acquisition of classifiers in obligatory classifier languages such as Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, but little is known about how other number marking forms, namely bare noun phrases and plural marking are acquired. Since Indonesian is an optional classifier language (i.e., the use of classifiers to indicate number is optional in certain contexts), it is also little known to what extent the optionality poses difficulty to learners. The current study aimed to investigate how L1 English speakers acquired different forms of number marking in Indonesian through elicitation tasks, namely judgement preference, acceptability judgement, and picture sequence tasks. Data were analysed using multiple regressions. It was found that L2 Indonesian learners avoided using classifiers when expressing number and overextended the scope of Indonesian plural marking by pluralizing nouns in generic contexts, where number isn’t marked at all. Using a usage-based model called the Complex Adaptive System Principles, I will attempt to account for the findings of the present study. Implications for teaching number marking in classifier languages and directions for future research are provided.
About the speaker
David Wijaya is completing his PhD in Applied Linguistics at the University of Queensland. His thesis, which is currently under review, explores the multiple factors that influence the acquisition of Indonesian number marking by first language speakers of English. His research is primarily focused on Indonesian grammar and second language learning and teaching. Applying usage-based approaches to language and language learning, he has conducted empirical investigations into Indonesian grammar, the complexities of learning grammatical structures in a second language, the effectiveness of embodied learning activities and data-driven learning on teaching grammar, and the relation between language and cognition. He was a recipient of the Kelly Elizabeth Stephens Scholarship which helped him pursue a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) at Boston University. In 2019 he was awarded an Australian Research Training Program Scholarship to undertake PhD in Applied Linguistics at The University of Queensland.
SLC New Colleagues Research Seminar Series
This series of new colleagues’ lectures is presented by the SLC Research Committee to welcome newcomers in research positions. Presentations allow school colleagues and the wider community to get to know the research interests of recent arrivals.
Join online via Zoom
For more information, contact: Lei Gong (lei.gong@sydney.edu.au)
–––
Social media
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Listen to talks on SoundCloud
Subscribe to our YouTube