Abstract |
This paper reports on the use of Japanese “unmarked” potential expressions by Chinese learners of Japanese from three perspectives : learning environment, learning history and Japanese proficiency. Th...e following conclusions were drawn. First, the usage tendency of learners in a second language environment is closer to that of a Japanese native speaker than learners in a foreign language environment. Second, while Japanese native speakers frequently use “unmarked” potential expressions in non-volitional intransitive verbs, it is clear that Chinese learners often use marked potential expressions for Type 7 (result-potential expression) non-volitional intransitive verbs. Third, the form “non-volitional intransitive verb + marked potential expressions” found in words such as “de-rare-(nai)(出られ(ない))” tends to be used by Chinese learners, even though Japanese native speakers don’ t employ it at all. This paper also investigates the use of “unmarked” potential expressions with regards to the “Japanese learning history” and “Japanese proficiency” of Chinese learners of Japanese in a foreign language environment. As the amount of time spent studying Japanese increases and language proficiency improves, the rate of using “unmarked” potential expressions increase for some non-volitional intransitive verbs, such as Type 5(natural phenomenon) and Type 8(perceive ability). Conversely, the same pattern were not evident for non-volitional intransitive verbs such as Type 6(human condition) and Type 7(result-potential expression). There are also cases of regression in the use of “unmarked” potential expressions for some learner groups, such as people who have 3 years of language learning experience, as well as those studying who have acquired mid-level linguistic ability(N2).show more
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