Abstract

How do we refer and how do we resolve reference in a second language (L2)? Why do some second language learners show persistent variability in L2 article production? And how do they process L2 articles in comprehension? These issues have been explored in a number of recent projects utilising a range of methodologies, from picture descriptions to eye-tracking in the visual world paradigm. Populations involved in the experiments included L1 Chinese, L1 Thai and L1 French speakers of L2 English, as well as monolingual English speakers. The talk will highlight the most important findings, suggesting differences in which native and non-native speakers of English represent and process English articles.