To explore how a second language learner's IL changes in the direction of the target language grammar, we need to consider some aspects of the comparative grammar and typological organization of both a learner'...To explore how a second language learner's IL changes in the direction of the target language grammar, we need to consider some aspects of the comparative grammar and typological organization of both a learner's native language and the target language. The aim of this paper is to explain the observed data in a more systematic and unified way based on the studies of language typology. Analyzing the data mostly drawn from the native speakers of the very high topic-prominent Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Arabic, four kinds of typological interlanguges are classified: empty elements in syntactic positions, double nominative constructions, the existential sentences and the periphrastic constructions. The study shows that ESL learners with limited proficiency in English tend to rely on the structures that are similar to their native language. There is more TP interlanguage in spontaneous oral production than in careful written composition in any stage.展开更多
文摘To explore how a second language learner's IL changes in the direction of the target language grammar, we need to consider some aspects of the comparative grammar and typological organization of both a learner's native language and the target language. The aim of this paper is to explain the observed data in a more systematic and unified way based on the studies of language typology. Analyzing the data mostly drawn from the native speakers of the very high topic-prominent Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Arabic, four kinds of typological interlanguges are classified: empty elements in syntactic positions, double nominative constructions, the existential sentences and the periphrastic constructions. The study shows that ESL learners with limited proficiency in English tend to rely on the structures that are similar to their native language. There is more TP interlanguage in spontaneous oral production than in careful written composition in any stage.
