Acquisition of a Stylistic Norm in English

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.