A Processability Approach to the Development of English Syntax in L2 Speaking and Writing

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the development of English syntax based on Pienemann’s (1998) Processability Theory (PT). While PT has been tested in various second language (L2) contexts, most previous PT studies have been done with L2 spoken data. The present study examines the English sentence formation in the spoken and written tasks performed by 80 Japanese native speakers using the Lexical Mapping Hypothesis in PT. The results of the analyses indicated similar developmental patterns in the learners’ spoken and written performances in terms of English syntax demonstrating support for PT. This study also showed that there was a statistically significant correlation between L2 speaking and L2 writing.