Article published In: Pragmatics
Vol. 36:3 (2026) ► pp.396–423

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The acquisition of locative inversion at the syntax-pragmatics interface by Chinese learners of English

ORCiD logo with link | Harbin Engineering University
ORCiD logo with link | Northeast Normal University
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Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.

Open Access publication of this article was funded through a Transformative Agreement with Northeast Normal University.

Published online: 24 February 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/prag.24008.jia
Abstract
This study investigated the acquisition of English locative inversion at the syntax-pragmatics interface by Chinese learners, and explored the factors for non-native performance within the framework of the Interface Hypothesis. A picture description test and a context-matching test were administered through an online questionnaire to 300 Chinese learners of English and twenty native speakers of English at a university in China. Follow-up interviews were conducted with thirty Chinese learners. Results showed that (1) compared with English natives, Chinese learners under-produced locative inversion, achieving native-like attainment until the advanced stage; (2) they also displayed a different preference pattern for locative inversion, converging to a native-like pattern by the advanced stage; (3) non-native performance in production was attributed to processing limitations and input frequency, while that in interpretation resulted from underspecification of form-function mapping, input frequency and contexts. The paper offers implications for syntax-pragmatics teaching and proposes future directions for L2 interface studies.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background
    • 2.1The interface hypothesis
    • 2.2The locative inversion at the syntax-pragmatics interface
  • 3.Methodology
    • 3.1Participants
    • 3.2Research instruments
      • 3.2.1Picture description test
      • 3.2.2Context-matching test
      • 3.2.3Semi-structured interviews
    • 3.3Procedures
    • 3.4Data analysis
  • 4.Results
    • 4.1Results of production of locative inversion
    • 4.2Results of interpretation of locative inversion
    • 4.3Results of factors for non-native performance
      • 4.3.1Production
      • 4.3.2Interpretation
  • 5.Discussion
    • 5.1Discussion on production of locative inversion
    • 5.2Discussion on interpretation of locative inversion
    • 5.3Discussion on factors for non-native performance
      • 5.3.1Production
      • 5.3.2Interpretation
  • 6.Conclusion
  • References
References (25)
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