Synchronic and diachronic studies on pragmatic strategies used by Japanese learners of English

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24520658
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Foreign language education
• Research Institution: Meiji University
• Principal Investigator: OSUKA Naoko 明治大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 教授 (40514162)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 中間言語語用論 / スピーチアクト / 依頼 / 断り / 感謝 / 留学 / pragmatic routines / pragmatic transfer

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study explores pragmatic features and development of Japanese learners of English through both synchronic and diachronic data. The analysis of synchronic data has revealed that Japanese learners have difficulty in using appropriate politeness depending on the situation. On the other hand, the comparison of diachronic data collected from Japanese study-abroad students and stay-in-Japan students has revealed that even one-semester study-abroad experience has positive effects on learners’ pragmatic development. However, the effects on the development of pragmatic routines were limited, while pragmatic transfer from L1 decreased after study abroad.

Free Research Field

外国語教育（英語）