Effects of L1 Transfer on the Interpretation of Korean Reflexive Pronouns by Advanced-Level L1-Chinese and L1-Azerbaijani Learners

Effects of L1 Transfer on the Interpretation of Korean Reflexive Pronouns by Advanced-Level L1-Chinese and L1-Azerbaijani Learners

The current study investigates whether first language (L1) transfer persists among second language (L2) learners with advanced proficiency. Specifically, the study examines the differences in interpretation of the Korean reflexives caki and caki-casin in bi-clausal sentences between adults with L1 backgrounds in Chinese and Azerbaijani, both of whom have advanced L2 proficiency in Korean. In Chinese, similar to Korean, there is a monomorphemic reflexive that allows for a long-distance antecedent, as well as a polymorphemic reflexive that favors a local antecedent. On the other hand, Azerbaijani only has a monomorphemic reflexive that is locally bound in bi-clausal sentences. A total of 47 L1-Chinese adults and 21 L1-Azerbaijani adults, all of whom have achieved TOPIK level 5 or 6, completed a Truth Value Judgment Task to assess their interpretation patterns of reflexive pronouns in Korean. The results showed that L1-Azerbaijani adults exhibited a stronger inclination towards a local interpretation for the Korean reflexives compared to L1-Chinese adults, indicating the presence of L1 transfer among advanced level L2 learners.

The current study investigates whether first language (L1) transfer persists among second language (L2) learners with advanced proficiency. Specifically, the study examines the differences in interpretation of the Korean reflexives caki and caki-casin in bi-clausal sentences between adults with L1 backgrounds in Chinese and Azerbaijani, both of whom have advanced L2 proficiency in Korean. In Chinese, similar to Korean, there is a monomorphemic reflexive that allows for a long-distance antecedent, as well as a polymorphemic reflexive that favors a local antecedent. On the other hand, Azerbaijani only has a monomorphemic reflexive that is locally bound in bi-clausal sentences. A total of 47 L1-Chinese adults and 21 L1-Azerbaijani adults, all of whom have achieved TOPIK level 5 or 6, completed a Truth Value Judgment Task to assess their interpretation patterns of reflexive pronouns in Korean. The results showed that L1-Azerbaijani adults exhibited a stronger inclination towards a local interpretation for the Korean reflexives compared to L1-Chinese adults, indicating the presence of L1 transfer among advanced level L2 learners.