Syntactic Complexity of EFL Learners’ Casual Conversation, Monologue, and Writing

doi:10.18627/jslg.37.1.202105.75

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2021 Vol.37, Issue 1 Preview Page

Research Article

Syntactic Complexity of EFL Learners’ Casual Conversation, Monologue, and Writing: Park, Shinjae and Yoon, Soyeon

31 May 2021. pp. 75-89

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Abstract

This paper aims to investigate how syntactic complexity differs depending on production modes. To this end, we examined a learner corpus obtained from undergraduate students, which comprises casual conversations, monologues, and writings. The syntactic complexity of each mode was measured by an automatic syntactic complexity analyser (TAASSC). The results are as follows: a) both the monologue and writing modes elicited greater syntactic complexity than conversation. However, syntactic complexity was not significantly different between monologues and writings except for Complex Nominals per Clause; b) among the three modes, syntactic complexity (i.e., Mean Length of Sentences and Complex Nominals per T-unit) in conversation was the best indicator of the L2 proficiency. Different cognitive or executive processes underlying the modes may have affected the complexity use. This paper suggests pedagogical implications that a monologue-like manner, such as presenting motivating topics, may enhance the use of complex structures in L2 conversations.

Keywords

syntactic complexity

casual conversation

monologue

writing

learner corpus

References

Andringa, S., K. de Glopper, and H. Hacquebord. 2011. Effect of explicit and implicit instruction on free written response task performance. Language Learning 61.3, 868-903.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2010.00623.x
Biber, D., B. Gray, and K. Poonpon. 2011. Should we use characteristics of conversation to measure grammatical complexity in L2 writing development?. Tesol Quarterly 45.1, 5-35.10.5054/tq.2011.244483
Biber, D., B. Gray, and S. Staples. 2016. Predicting patterns of grammatical complexity across language exam task types and proficiency levels. Applied Linguistics 37.5, 639-668.10.1093/applin/amu059
Casal, J. E. and J. J. Lee. 2019. Syntactic complexity and writing quality in assessed first-year L2 writing. Journal of Second Language Writing 44, 51-62.10.1016/j.jslw.2019.03.005
Cleland, A. A. and M. J. Pickering. 2006. Do writing and speaking employ the same syntactic representations?. Journal of Memory and Language 54.2, 185-198.10.1016/j.jml.2005.10.003
Crossley, S. A. and D. S. McNamara. 2014. Does writing development equal writing quality? A computational investigation of syntactic complexity in L2 learners. Journal of Second Language Writing 26, 66-79.10.1016/j.jslw.2014.09.006
Ellis, R. 1987. Interlanguage variability in narrative discourse: Style shifting in the use of the past tense. Studies in second language acquisition, 1-19.10.1017/S0272263100006483
Foster, P. and P. Tavakoli. 2009. Native speakers and task performance: Comparing effects on complexity, fluency, and lexical diversity. Language learning 59.4, 866-896.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2009.00528.x
Foster, P., A. Tonkyn, and G. Wigglesworth 2000. Measuring spoken language: A unit for all reasons. Applied linguistics 21.3, 354-375.10.1093/applin/21.3.354
Hunt, K. W. (1965). Grammatical Structures Written at Three Grade Levels. Champaign, Ill: National Council of Teachers of English.
Hwang, H., H. Jung, and H. Kim. 2020. Effects of Written Versus Spoken Production Modalities on Syntactic Complexity Measures in Beginning‐Level Child EFL Learners. The Modern Language Journal 104.1, 267-283.10.1111/modl.12626
Jiang, J., P. Bi and H. Liu. 2019. Syntactic complexity development in the writings of EFL learners: Insights from a dependency syntactically-annotated corpus. Journal of Second Language Writing 46, 1-13.10.1016/j.jslw.2019.100666
Kellogg, R. T. 1996. A model of working memory in writing. In C. M. Levy & S. Ransdell (Eds.), The science of writing: Theories, methods, individual differences and applications (pp. 57-71). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Khushik, G. A. and A. Huhta. 2020. Investigating Syntactic Complexity in EFL Learners' Writing across Common European Framework of Reference Levels A1, A2, and B1. Applied Linguistics 41.4, 506-532.10.1093/applin/amy064
Kormos, J. 2014. Differences across modalities of performance. In H. Byrnes and R. M. Manchón (Eds), Task-based language learning: Insights from and for L2 writing (pp. 193-216). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.10.1075/tblt.7.08kor
Kyle, K. 2016. Measuring syntactic development in L2 writing: Fine grained indices of syntactic complexity and usage-based indices of syntactic sophistication. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
Lan, G. and Y. Sun 2019. A corpus-based investigation of noun phrase complexity in the L2 writings of a first-year composition course. Journal of English for Academic Purposes 38, 14-24.10.1016/j.jeap.2018.12.001
Levelt, W. 1989. Speaking: From intention to articulation. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
Lintunen, P. and M. Mäkilä 2014. Measuring syntactic complexity in spoken and written learner language: comparing the incomparable?. Research in Language 12.4, 377-399.10.1515/rela-2015-0005
Lu, X. 2010. Automatic analysis of syntactic complexity in second language writing. International Journal of Corpus Linguistics 15, 474-496. 10.1075/ijcl.15.4.02lu
Lu, X. 2011. A corpus-based evaluation of syntactic complexity measures as indices of college-level ESL writers’ language development. TESOL Quarterly 45, 36-62.10.5054/tq.2011.240859
Lu, X. and H. Ai 2015. Syntactic complexity in college-level English writing: Differences among writers with diverse L1 backgrounds. Journal of Second Language Writing 29, 16-27.10.1016/j.jslw.2015.06.003
Nippold, M. A., M. W. Frantz-Kaspar, P. M. Cramond, C. Kirk, C. Hayward-Mayhew, and M. MacKinnon 2014. Conversational and narrative speaking in adolescents: Examining the use of complex syntax. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 57, 876-886.10.1044/1092-4388(2013/13-0097)
Nippold, M. A., M. W. Frantz-Kaspar, and L. M. Vigeland 2017. Spoken language production in young adults: Examining syntactic complexity. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 60.5., 1339-1347. 10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-16-0124 28492843
Norris, J. M. and L. Ortega 2009. Towards an organic approach to investigating CAF in instructed SLA: The case of complexity. Applied linguistics 30.4, 555-578.10.1093/applin/amp044
Ortega, L. 2015. Syntactic complexity in L2 writing: Progress and expansion. Journal of Second Language Writing 29, 82-94.10.1016/j.jslw.2015.06.008
Park, S. J. 2020. A corpus study of modal verbs in Korean learners' speech. Journal of Linguistic Studies, 25.2, 121-137.10.21291/jkals.2020.25.2.6
Park, S. J. 2021. A corpus study on the relationship between syntax complexity and English speaking proficiency. Journal of Linguistic Studies, 26.1, 43-61.
Peltridge, B. 2012. Discourse Analysis (2ndEd). Bloomsbury.
Taguchi, N., W. Crawford, and D. Z. Wetzel 2013. What linguistic features are indicative of writing quality? A case of argumentative essays in a college composition program. Tesol Quarterly 47.2, 420-430.10.1002/tesq.91
Tavakoli, P. 2014. Storyline complexity and syntactic complexity in writing and speaking tasks. Task-based language learning: Insights from and for L2 writing, 217-236.10.1075/tblt.7.09tav
Tavakoli, P. and P. Foster 2011. Task design and second language performance: The effect of narrative type on learner output. Language Learning 61, 37-72.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2011.00642.x
Yang, W., X. Lu, and S. C. Weigle 2015. Different topics, different discourse: Relationships among writing topic, measures of syntactic complexity, and judgments of writing quality. Journal of Second Language Writing 28, 53-67.10.1016/j.jslw.2015.02.002
Yoon, H. J. 2017. Linguistic complexity in L2 writing revisited: Issues of topic, proficiency, and construct multidimensionality. System 66, 130-141.10.1016/j.system.2017.03.007

Information

Publisher :The Modern Linguistic Society of Korea
Publisher(Ko) :한국현대언어학회
Journal Title :The Journal of Studies in Language
Journal Title(Ko) :언어연구
Volume : 37
No :1
Pages :75-89
DOI :https://doi.org/10.18627/jslg.37.1.202105.75

[1] Andringa, S., K. de Glopper, and H. Hacquebord. 2011. Effect of explicit and implicit instruction on free written response task performance. Language Learning 61.3, 868-903.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2010.00623.x

[2] Biber, D., B. Gray, and K. Poonpon. 2011. Should we use characteristics of conversation to measure grammatical complexity in L2 writing development?. Tesol Quarterly 45.1, 5-35.10.5054/tq.2011.244483

[3] Biber, D., B. Gray, and S. Staples. 2016. Predicting patterns of grammatical complexity across language exam task types and proficiency levels. Applied Linguistics 37.5, 639-668.10.1093/applin/amu059

[4] Casal, J. E. and J. J. Lee. 2019. Syntactic complexity and writing quality in assessed first-year L2 writing. Journal of Second Language Writing 44, 51-62.10.1016/j.jslw.2019.03.005

[5] Cleland, A. A. and M. J. Pickering. 2006. Do writing and speaking employ the same syntactic representations?. Journal of Memory and Language 54.2, 185-198.10.1016/j.jml.2005.10.003

[6] Crossley, S. A. and D. S. McNamara. 2014. Does writing development equal writing quality? A computational investigation of syntactic complexity in L2 learners. Journal of Second Language Writing 26, 66-79.10.1016/j.jslw.2014.09.006

[7] Ellis, R. 1987. Interlanguage variability in narrative discourse: Style shifting in the use of the past tense. Studies in second language acquisition, 1-19.10.1017/S0272263100006483

[8] Foster, P. and P. Tavakoli. 2009. Native speakers and task performance: Comparing effects on complexity, fluency, and lexical diversity. Language learning 59.4, 866-896.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2009.00528.x

[9] Foster, P., A. Tonkyn, and G. Wigglesworth 2000. Measuring spoken language: A unit for all reasons. Applied linguistics 21.3, 354-375.10.1093/applin/21.3.354

[10] Hunt, K. W. (1965). Grammatical Structures Written at Three Grade Levels. Champaign, Ill: National Council of Teachers of English.

[11] Hwang, H., H. Jung, and H. Kim. 2020. Effects of Written Versus Spoken Production Modalities on Syntactic Complexity Measures in Beginning‐Level Child EFL Learners. The Modern Language Journal 104.1, 267-283.10.1111/modl.12626

[12] Jiang, J., P. Bi and H. Liu. 2019. Syntactic complexity development in the writings of EFL learners: Insights from a dependency syntactically-annotated corpus. Journal of Second Language Writing 46, 1-13.10.1016/j.jslw.2019.100666

[13] Kellogg, R. T. 1996. A model of working memory in writing. In C. M. Levy & S. Ransdell (Eds.), The science of writing: Theories, methods, individual differences and applications (pp. 57-71). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

[14] Khushik, G. A. and A. Huhta. 2020. Investigating Syntactic Complexity in EFL Learners' Writing across Common European Framework of Reference Levels A1, A2, and B1. Applied Linguistics 41.4, 506-532.10.1093/applin/amy064

[15] Kormos, J. 2014. Differences across modalities of performance. In H. Byrnes and R. M. Manchón (Eds), Task-based language learning: Insights from and for L2 writing (pp. 193-216). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.10.1075/tblt.7.08kor

[16] Kyle, K. 2016. Measuring syntactic development in L2 writing: Fine grained indices of syntactic complexity and usage-based indices of syntactic sophistication. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.

[17] Lan, G. and Y. Sun 2019. A corpus-based investigation of noun phrase complexity in the L2 writings of a first-year composition course. Journal of English for Academic Purposes 38, 14-24.10.1016/j.jeap.2018.12.001

[18] Levelt, W. 1989. Speaking: From intention to articulation. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.

[19] Lintunen, P. and M. Mäkilä 2014. Measuring syntactic complexity in spoken and written learner language: comparing the incomparable?. Research in Language 12.4, 377-399.10.1515/rela-2015-0005

[20] Lu, X. 2010. Automatic analysis of syntactic complexity in second language writing. International Journal of Corpus Linguistics 15, 474-496. 10.1075/ijcl.15.4.02lu

[21] Lu, X. 2011. A corpus-based evaluation of syntactic complexity measures as indices of college-level ESL writers’ language development. TESOL Quarterly 45, 36-62.10.5054/tq.2011.240859

[22] Lu, X. and H. Ai 2015. Syntactic complexity in college-level English writing: Differences among writers with diverse L1 backgrounds. Journal of Second Language Writing 29, 16-27.10.1016/j.jslw.2015.06.003

[23] Nippold, M. A., M. W. Frantz-Kaspar, P. M. Cramond, C. Kirk, C. Hayward-Mayhew, and M. MacKinnon 2014. Conversational and narrative speaking in adolescents: Examining the use of complex syntax. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 57, 876-886.10.1044/1092-4388(2013/13-0097)

[24] Nippold, M. A., M. W. Frantz-Kaspar, and L. M. Vigeland 2017. Spoken language production in young adults: Examining syntactic complexity. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 60.5., 1339-1347. 10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-16-0124 28492843

[25] Norris, J. M. and L. Ortega 2009. Towards an organic approach to investigating CAF in instructed SLA: The case of complexity. Applied linguistics 30.4, 555-578.10.1093/applin/amp044

[26] Ortega, L. 2015. Syntactic complexity in L2 writing: Progress and expansion. Journal of Second Language Writing 29, 82-94.10.1016/j.jslw.2015.06.008

[27] Park, S. J. 2020. A corpus study of modal verbs in Korean learners' speech. Journal of Linguistic Studies, 25.2, 121-137.10.21291/jkals.2020.25.2.6

[28] Park, S. J. 2021. A corpus study on the relationship between syntax complexity and English speaking proficiency. Journal of Linguistic Studies, 26.1, 43-61.

[29] Peltridge, B. 2012. Discourse Analysis (2ndEd). Bloomsbury.

[30] Taguchi, N., W. Crawford, and D. Z. Wetzel 2013. What linguistic features are indicative of writing quality? A case of argumentative essays in a college composition program. Tesol Quarterly 47.2, 420-430.10.1002/tesq.91

[31] Tavakoli, P. 2014. Storyline complexity and syntactic complexity in writing and speaking tasks. Task-based language learning: Insights from and for L2 writing, 217-236.10.1075/tblt.7.09tav

[32] Tavakoli, P. and P. Foster 2011. Task design and second language performance: The effect of narrative type on learner output. Language Learning 61, 37-72.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2011.00642.x

[33] Yang, W., X. Lu, and S. C. Weigle 2015. Different topics, different discourse: Relationships among writing topic, measures of syntactic complexity, and judgments of writing quality. Journal of Second Language Writing 28, 53-67.10.1016/j.jslw.2015.02.002

[34] Yoon, H. J. 2017. Linguistic complexity in L2 writing revisited: Issues of topic, proficiency, and construct multidimensionality. System 66, 130-141.10.1016/j.system.2017.03.007

The Journal of Studies in Language ISSN:1225-4770(Print) 2671-6151(Online) 언어연구

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