Knowledge Extension in the Development of Knowledge of Polysemy and Near Synonymy in a Second Language

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K00810
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 02100:Foreign language education-related
• Research Institution: Meijo University
• Principal Investigator: Matsumura Masanori 名城大学, 理工学部, 教授 (60275112)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 知識拡張 / 語彙ネットワーク / 第二言語

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Recognising the complex nature of the lexical network, this study aimed to demonstrate an aspect of knowledge extension observed in the development of lexical knowledge in a second language. An experiment was conducted to examine the impact of exposing learners to a new usage sample of the polysemous verb 'run' on the overall representation of the word in the learner's mind. It was extrapolated that the same argument can be made for adjusting the semantic boundaries between near-synonymous words. Based on the discussions, the study underscored the emergent nature of the second language lexical development. On the practical side, it advocated for incorporating referential communication tasks in second language classrooms to facilitate the organic reconstruction of learner knowledge.

Free Research Field

第二言語習得

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

第二言語発達において学習者に与えられる入力の範囲を超えた自発的な知識の拡張とそれに伴うシステムの調整が起きるという認識は、学習可能性の議論における「証拠」概念の拡大を促す。実践的な観点からは、第二言語発達の創発的で非線形的な性格を前提に、参照的なコミュニケーション課題が言語指導において学習者の知識の有機的な統合と拡大を促すために有効であることが理解され、その積極的な利用につながることを期待できる。