L2 acquisition of Wh-interrogatives at the syntax-discourse interface: interface hypothesis again

Area of Science:

• Second Language Acquisition
• Linguistic Interfaces
• Syntax-Discourse Relations

Background:

• The Interface Hypothesis (IH) posits that areas where syntax and discourse interact pose difficulties for second language (L2) learners.
• Investigating L2 English wh-interrogative acquisition by Yemeni Arabic speakers provides empirical data on this hypothesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if syntax-discourse interface phenomena, specifically d-linked wh-interrogatives, present challenges for Yemeni learners of English.
• To gather evidence supporting or refuting the Interface Hypothesis in the context of L2 English acquisition.

Main Methods:

• An experiment involving intermediate and advanced Yemeni Arabic speakers learning English, alongside a native English control group.
• Participants completed a bi-modal, multiple-choice, paced judgment task using 20 discourse-linked and non-d-linked wh-interrogatives.

Main Results:

• Both Yemeni learner groups performed near-native on non-d-linked wh-interrogatives.
• Advanced learners, despite near-native proficiency, performed significantly below native-like levels on d-linked wh-interrogatives.

Conclusions:

• The study concludes that the syntax-discourse interface remains a vulnerable area for L2 English learners.
• The findings provide empirical support for the Interface Hypothesis (IH).