How English L2 learners in China perceive and interpret novel English compounds

Journal article

This study aims to investigate how English learners in China interpret novel English noun-noun compounds. Relevant research literature is for the most part limited to L1 children's interpretations of noun-noun compounds. Therefore the current study extends the research area into the L2 domain with a view to comparing interpretations of L2 learners with those of L1 children in the study of Krott, Gagné and Nicoladis (2008). Fifty-two students from two universities in Shanghai, China participated in the research. They were given an English compound test consisting of 30 novel noun-noun compounds. The results indicated that, generally speaking, the participants displayed an overall competence in understanding and interpreting novel English compounds. The differences in performance success between the intermediate and advanced groups were not found to be statistically significant. Possible factors affecting participants' interpretations and vocabulary teaching implications are discussed at the end of the study.

Authors: Zhou, X; Murphy, V

• Journal: Asian EFL Journal
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 328-356
• Publication date: 2011-03-01
• ISSN: 1738-1460
• Language: English
• Keywords: Vocabulary teaching; L1 transfer; Noun-noun compounds; Chinese learners