In:Widening Contexts for Processability Theory: Theories and issues
Edited by Anke Lenzing, Howard Nicholas and Jana Roos
[Processability Approaches to Language Acquisition Research & Teaching 7] 2019
► pp. 105–130
Chapter 5Case within the phrasal procedure stage
Sequences of acquisition in Russian L2
Published online: 28 November 2019
https://doi.org/10.1075/palart.7.05art
https://doi.org/10.1075/palart.7.05art
This chapter investigates the acquisition of case in Russian L2 within the VP
and the PP, two structures belonging to the same Processability Theory (PT)-based stage of
acquisition, namely the Phrasal procedure stage. I claim that a crucial aspect of the
intra-stage development is determined by the different nature of case assignments involved
in the given structures. The study is conducted with a group of 15 learners of Russian L2
with varied L1 backgrounds. The analysis of their semi-spontaneous speech shows that (1)
case within the VP develops from lack of case assignment to configurational, lexical, and
eventually grammatical assignment, and (2) case within the PP develops from lack of case
assignment to configurational and lexical case assignments. To conclude, the study confirms
the cross-linguistic prediction that case develops from no marking to case assignment by
position, and eventually to grammatical case assignment.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Case in Russian
- 3.Studies of acquisition of case
- 4.Developmental hypothesis
- 5.The study
- 5.1Methodology
- 5.2Data analysis
- 6.Conclusion
Notes References Appendix
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2023. Processability Theory, second language learning and teaching in the Asia-Pacific region. In Processability and Language Acquisition in the Asia-Pacific Region [Processability Approaches to Language Acquisition Research & Teaching, 9], ► pp. 1 ff.
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