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Language dominance and lexical diversity: How bilinguals and L2 learners differ in their knowledge and use of French lexical and functional items

Treffers-Daller, Jeanine

Language dominance and lexical diversity: How bilinguals and L2 learners differ in their knowledge and use of French lexical and functional items Thumbnail


Authors

Jeanine Treffers-Daller



Contributors

B Richards
Editor

Helmut Michael Daller
Editor

David D. Malvern
Editor

Paul Meara
Editor

James Milton
Editor

Jeanine Treffers-Daller jeanine.treffers-daller@uwe.ac.uk
Editor

Abstract

This chapter makes an important contribution to our understanding of how the language abilities of bilinguals differ from those of second language learners. Few researchers have so far attempted to assess the knowledge bilinguals have of either language in any detail, although it is legitimate to question how one can differentiate between different types of bilinguals or between bilinguals and second language learners. In the study a detailed comparison is made of the vocabulary of French-Dutch bilinguals from Brussels, Flemish learners of French and French-English bilingual students from a business school in Paris. Analyses of the data were carried with the help of CLAN, a computer software developed by MacWhinney (2000) for the analysis of written and spoken language. There were not only significant differences between the three groups in their use of lexical items, but also in their use of function words: relativisers, the L2 learners used fewer and a more limited range (only subject relativisers) than the bilinguals.

Citation

Treffers-Daller, J. (2009). Language dominance and lexical diversity: How bilinguals and L2 learners differ in their knowledge and use of French lexical and functional items. In B. Richards, H. Michael Daller, D. D. Malvern, P. Meara, J. Milton, & J. Treffers-Daller (Eds.), Vocabulary Studies in first and second language acquisition. The interface between theory and applications (74-90). Houndmills Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date Jun 1, 2009
Deposit Date Sep 17, 2010
Publicly Available Date Dec 2, 2016
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Pages 74-90
Series Title Language and Linguistics Collection
Book Title Vocabulary Studies in first and second language acquisition. The interface between theory and applications
ISBN 9780230206687
Keywords bilinguism, French, language
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/995939
Publisher URL http://www.palgraveconnect.com/pc/doifinder/10.1057/9780230242258
Additional Information Additional Information : ‘Treffers-Daller, Jeanine, Language dominance and lexical diversity: How bilinguals and L2 learners differ in their knowledge and use of French lexical and functional items, 2009, Palgrave Macmillan reproduced with permission of Palgrave Macmillan’. This extract is taken from the author's original manuscript and has not been edited. The definitive version of this piece may be found in Vocabulary Studies in first and second language acquisition. The interface between theory and applications edited by B. Richards et al which can be purchased from www.palgrave.com 100% contribution. This is a single-authored book chapter. Jeanine Treffers-Daller is also co-editor of this volume.

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