Abstract
This study investigates intergroup homogeneity within high intermediate and advanced L2 writers of English from Czech, Finnish, German, and Spanish first language backgrounds. A variety of linguistic features related to lexical sophistication, syntactic complexity, and cohesion were used to compare texts written by L1 speakers of English to L2 writers of English in order to examine if L2 writing shares text similarities regardless of the L1 of the writer. The results of the study provide evidence for intergroup homogeneity in the linguistic patterns of L2 writers in that four word-based indices (hypernymy, polysemy, lexical diversity, and stem overlap) demonstrated similar patterns of occurrence in the L2 writer populations sampled. However, significant differences were reported for these indices between L1 and L2 writers. The results of this study provide evidence that some aspects of L2 writing may not be cultural or independent, but rather based on the amount and type of linguistic knowledge available to L2 learners as a result of language experience and learner proficiency level.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 271-285 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Journal of Second Language Writing |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Computational linguistics
- Corpus linguistics
- Intergroup homogeneity
- L2 writing
- Second language writing
- Working memory
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Language and Linguistics
- Education
- Linguistics and Language
Cite this
Shared features of L2 writing : Intergroup homogeneity and text classification. / Crossley, Scott A.; McNamara, Danielle.
In: Journal of Second Language Writing, Vol. 20, No. 4, 12.2011, p. 271-285.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Shared features of L2 writing
T2 - Intergroup homogeneity and text classification
AU - Crossley, Scott A.
AU - McNamara, Danielle
PY - 2011/12
Y1 - 2011/12
N2 - This study investigates intergroup homogeneity within high intermediate and advanced L2 writers of English from Czech, Finnish, German, and Spanish first language backgrounds. A variety of linguistic features related to lexical sophistication, syntactic complexity, and cohesion were used to compare texts written by L1 speakers of English to L2 writers of English in order to examine if L2 writing shares text similarities regardless of the L1 of the writer. The results of the study provide evidence for intergroup homogeneity in the linguistic patterns of L2 writers in that four word-based indices (hypernymy, polysemy, lexical diversity, and stem overlap) demonstrated similar patterns of occurrence in the L2 writer populations sampled. However, significant differences were reported for these indices between L1 and L2 writers. The results of this study provide evidence that some aspects of L2 writing may not be cultural or independent, but rather based on the amount and type of linguistic knowledge available to L2 learners as a result of language experience and learner proficiency level.
AB - This study investigates intergroup homogeneity within high intermediate and advanced L2 writers of English from Czech, Finnish, German, and Spanish first language backgrounds. A variety of linguistic features related to lexical sophistication, syntactic complexity, and cohesion were used to compare texts written by L1 speakers of English to L2 writers of English in order to examine if L2 writing shares text similarities regardless of the L1 of the writer. The results of the study provide evidence for intergroup homogeneity in the linguistic patterns of L2 writers in that four word-based indices (hypernymy, polysemy, lexical diversity, and stem overlap) demonstrated similar patterns of occurrence in the L2 writer populations sampled. However, significant differences were reported for these indices between L1 and L2 writers. The results of this study provide evidence that some aspects of L2 writing may not be cultural or independent, but rather based on the amount and type of linguistic knowledge available to L2 learners as a result of language experience and learner proficiency level.
KW - Computational linguistics
KW - Corpus linguistics
KW - Intergroup homogeneity
KW - L2 writing
KW - Second language writing
KW - Working memory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80955163787&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80955163787&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jslw.2011.05.007
DO - 10.1016/j.jslw.2011.05.007
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:80955163787
VL - 20
SP - 271
EP - 285
JO - Journal of Second Language Writing
JF - Journal of Second Language Writing
SN - 1060-3743
IS - 4
ER -