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Article published In: Revista Española de Lingüística Aplicada/Spanish Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 32:2 (2019) ► pp.486–514

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Second language vocabulary learning through subtitling

 | Università del Piemonte Orientale
Published online: 5 November 2019
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/resla.17009.ler
Abstract
This article aims to contribute to shedding light on subtitling in the field of second language vocabulary learning while indicating possible directions for future research. In view of previous research, it investigates the effects of subtitling on incidental vocabulary acquisition. It is based on an experimental study carried out, after extensive piloting, with 25 English native speakers studying Italian as a Foreign Language (levels A1–A2) at the National University of Ireland, Galway. By triangulating quantitative and qualitative data, the experimental study shows that interlingual subtitling promotes the incidental acquisition of new word meanings in terms of productive recall.
Resumen
Este artículo pretende contribuir a arrojar luz sobre el uso de la subtitulación en el campo del aprendizaje de vocabulario en lengua extranjera, y proponer posibles líneas de investigación futura. Basándose en estudios previos, la presente propuesta investiga los efectos de la subtitulación en la adquisición incidental de vocabulario. El estudio experimental se llevó a cabo tras un extenso programa piloto, con 25 hablantes nativos de inglés estudiantes de italiano como lengua extranjera (niveles A1–A2) en la National University of Ireland, Galway. Al triangular datos cuantitativos y cualitativos, se muestra que la subtitulación interlingüistica promueve la adquisición incidental de nuevos significados de palabras en términos de recuerdo productivo/productive recall.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Subtitling in language learning: Previous research
  • 3.Theoretical framework
  • 4.The experimental study
    • 4.1Methodology and research question
    • 4.2Participants and procedures
    • 4.3Testing instruments: Vocabulary pre- and post-tests
  • 5.Analysis and discussion
    • 5.1Initial and final questionnaires
    • 5.2Statistical analysis A
    • 5.3Statistical analysis B
    • 5.4Qualitative analysis
    • 5.5Discussion
  • 6.Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
References (56)
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