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Article published In: Revista Española de Lingüística Aplicada/Spanish Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 37:1 (2024) ► pp.264–298

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Typicality effects in Spanish as a Foreign Language of intermediate and advanced level Greek learners

ORCiD logo with link | University of La Rioja
ORCiD logo with link | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Published online: 11 December 2023
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https://doi.org/10.1075/resla.21038.agu
Abstract
Categorization and identification of typical exemplars within semantic categories is a universal skill of human cognition which is involved in language development. However, cultural, and experiential aspects might influence typicality effects. This paper examines the role of native language and culture on that categorization process and on typicality effects. Towards that objective, we had Spanish native speakers and Spanish FL learners whose mother tongue is Greek complete a category generation word association task. Data were analyzed within a network and graph theory framework as the best fitting for this type of data, bearing in mind previous descriptions of semantic memory. Results showed how, indeed, native speakers and learners of varying proficiency levels differ in their availability and production of typical exemplars, especially in slot-filler categories versus taxonomic categories. Lexical access during category generation might be determined by native language and culture. Additionally, natives’ mental lexicon seems to feature denser connections responsible for more efficient access.
Resumen
Efectos de la prototipicidad en español como lengua extranjera en nivel intermedio y avanzado en estudiantes griegos
La categorización e identificación de ejemplares típicos de categorías semánticas es una habilidad universal de la cognición humana que está relacionada con el desarrollo del lenguaje. Sin embargo, aspectos culturales y experienciales pueden influir en la identificación de la prototipicidad. Este artículo examina el papel de la lengua y la cultura materna en el proceso de categorización y en los efectos de la prototipicidad. Para conseguir este objetivo, comparamos las respuestas a una prueba de categorización y asociaciones de dos grupos de aprendices griegos de español como lengua extranjera de nivel intermedio y avanzado con las de un grupo de nativos españoles. Los datos se analizaron desde la teoría matemática de redes y de grafos, pues se consideró ésta como la aproximación más adecuada, teniendo en cuenta descripciones previas de la memoria semántica. Los resultados muestran que los nativos y los aprendices difieren en la disponibilidad y producción de ejemplares típicos, especialmente en categorías más experienciales respecto de las taxonómicas. El acceso léxico durante la generación de categorías puede venir determinado por la lengua y la cultura maternas. De manera adicional, lel lexicón mental de los hablantes nativos parece estar mas interconectado propiciando así un acceso más eficiente.
Article outline
  • 1.Semantic category structure and typicality effect
  • 2.Word association and fluency tasks in SLA studies: The case of lexical availability
  • 3.Word association tasks and network representation
  • 4.Method
    • 4.1Design
    • 4.2Participants
    • 4.3Instruments
    • 4.4Procedure and data analysis
  • 5.Results
  • 6.Discussion
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Data availability statement
  • Note
  • References
References (59)
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