Acquisition of a Stylistic Norm in English

• 발행기관: 한국영어학학회
• 저자명: Hikyoung Lee
• 간행물 정보: 『영어학연구』영어학연구 제16권 1호, 185~204쪽, 전체 20쪽
• 주제분류: 어문학 > 영어와문학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2010.04.01

영문 초록

This study examined Korean and Japanese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' acquisition and use of contractions across different communication modes. Contractions are considered a salient indicator of stylistic variation which is not readily acquired through formal instruction. In this light, the present study employed quantitative analysis to examine the use and nonuse of contractions in relation to expressing formality and situational appropriateness. Participants were university-level Korean and Japanese adult EFL learners. The variables examined for effects on contraction use were ethnicity (Korean vs. Japanese) and communication mode (speaking vs. writing styles). Findings indicate that the norms of contraction use as an indicator of formality have been relatively accurately acquired and appropriately used by the learners. Korean and Japanese speakers also show similar tendencies which indirectly implies that the acquisition of contraction may develop in similar ways due to the similarities in English learning contexts. Lastly, implications regarding contraction instruction and acquiring near-native competence in terms of style are discussed.

목차

1. Introduction

2. Background

3. Method

4. Results

5. Discussion

6. Conclusion

키워드

Korean EFL learners Japanese EFL learners style acquisition contraction use