Critical Analysis of The Article: “Learning to predict: Second
language perception of reduced
multi-word sequences”
Yahir Espinoza
School of Humanities, Universidad de Panamá
CH 2031-Research in Morphology and Syntax
Dr. Carolina Bernales
July 26,2024
Critical Analysis of the Article: “Learning to predict:
Second language perception of reduced multi-word
sequences”
This article was written by David Tizón-Couto and David Lorenz. They
researched how the entrenchment of words in L1 affects L2 speakers, “whose
language acquisition is more analytic but who nonetheless also learn through
usage.” (Tizón-Couto & David, 2024) They used the recognition of the reduction of
the preposition “to” at the time of using infinitive verbs and then compared the
results to how native speakers use reductions. Furthermore, they selected for this
research advanced L2 English speakers. This paper showed key words, a strong
and clear thesis statement, useful labels and graphs for the statistic analysis. The
insights brought here, are useful for language instruction.
The theoretical framework presented research related to language as
governed by experience and the accumulation of information which will be used in
a probabilistic manner. It seems that the use of the Cognitive linguistics perspective
makes a clear statement on how we make choices at the time of using L2. The
article makes clear questions for the reader to understand the main focus of the
paper as well.
Although the theoretical framework is well stated, I would include two
elements. The first one would be the use of a graph to show the perception of the
reduction verb+to. It was just written in a paragraph; therefore, it did not stand out.
The second element has to do with how the examples are shown from the
beginning. I would have preferred to see at least one example in the first
paragraph.
Methodology
In this section the authors explain the main structure that they are going to
measure how it is used in terms of reductions. They state that the constructions
“have to (V (inf ) ,want ¿ V (inf ) ¿ ¿ are often considered as chunks and commonly reduced
in speech. Moreover, they make a prediction that due to the frequency of the
sequence or the likelihood given to the preceding verb, the recognition would be
faster. On The contrary, if the unit is perceived as a chunk, the recognition would
be slower.
Study Design
The study design is clearly stated. For this experiment, 44 Spanish advance
speakers from the region of Galicia were selected. All of them were certified C1-C2
level of proficiency according to the Common European Framework. They had to
listen to items in which the [tʊ] or[rʊ] anteceded the verb, and then, hit a bottom
depending on the case. The reaction time was measured.
This article used a previous experiment conducted by the authors. They
focused on response times, correctly identified items as a measure of processing
efforts. Then, transformed the measures in logarithmic values in order to include
the longer response times. Besides the logarithmic values, they also used
transitional probabilities and provided the codes for the program model ensuring
replicability.
It seemed that the structure of the paper was quite complex, but it showed all
the elements that would be expected in a methodology section. The only change I
would make would be showing the models in specific images that could help the
reader to extract the important parts of the graphs.
Results
The results were shown with 5 graphs that clearly depicted the values. This
made the interpretation easier because it showed curves that supported
understanding in the result section. The use of these graphs with the labels: verb
duration, preceding sound, plosive cluster, proficiency, backward TP or to (given
following verb) showed how the graph of the analysis of the structures moved up
and down according to the responses given by the subjects based on the variables
presented.
Discussion
In the discussion section, the authors restated the prediction about the
difficulties for non-native speakers to recognize the reductions of the word “to”
before verbs in infinitive form. He stated that coping with reductions is a demanding
task for speakers, so they rely on familiarity with the given structure. That is, the
most they grow aware about the patterns, the better the speaker will be at
recognizing them.
The idea of connection with the context or exposure to L2 is mentioned in the
discussion of the article. These authors found that both native speakers and
advanced non-native speakers tend not to use chunks of words to recognize some
specific patterns. Speakers try to remember sounds that they are familiar with. It is
important to add that the writers guided the discussion by including rhetorical
questions such as “Then, how do frequency-based expectations come to bear in
coping with reduction?” Adding this type of questions helped the readers to create
a map to the main points suggested by the authors.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, they restated the main points and stressed the importance
of frequency in speech perception. Nevertheless, they could not observe the effect
of chunking of high frequency sentences. Besides, it seemed that the learners
made little use of predictability. The authors showed different conclusions to what
they expected at the beginning due to the fact that speech recognition in a
probabilistic manner showed little evidence of occurrence.
This study offered evidence of how experience could shape students’
recognition of speech in L2 learning. A variety of input seemed to increase learners’
proficiency in the processing of speech. Therefore, learners should increase their
expertise in L2 by listening to meaningful information frequently. In fact, advanced
speakers could also benefit from this idea.
As a final comment, I would include more visual aids to help readers to
understand the main points in the whole text. It seemed that the ideas were clearly
stated, but some readers could get confused by the numerous citations that were
written up.
Reference
Tizón-Couto, D., & David, L. (2024). Learning to predict: Second Language
perception of reduced multi-word sequences. Second Language Research,
1-22. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1177/02676583241246147
