초록 열기/닫기 버튼
For the last several decades, second language (L2) researchers have not reached a consensus on whether L2 speakers maintain first language (L1) thinking-for-speaking (TFS) patterns or transfer to L2 TFS. This inconsistency seems to be related to different definitions of L2 proficiency. Hence, in this study, I clarify the relationship between L2 speakers’ TFS patterns (L1 vs. L2) and their proficiency levels by defining proficiency based on their age first exposed to L2 setting. I examine how gestures present conceptual knowledge levels of intermediate and advanced L2 speakers when compared with their speech of motion events of manner (i.e., how motion is expressed) in their L1 Korean and L2 English. I found that intermediate speakers seemed to follow typical L1 TFS patterns expressing manner information through manner gestures in the absence of linguistic expressions of manner. However, advanced speakers seemed to acquire L2 TFS patterns by conflating manner gestures with manner verbs as English native speakers typically do. This result shows that intermediate L2 speakers have difficulty following L2 TFS patterns because their training in L1 leads them to thinking in L1 while speaking in their L2 and L2 speakers need a long period of practice and exposure to an L2-speaking setting to acquire new TFS patterns. In addition, teachers can diagnose the developmental level of L2 learners through their gestures.
