Effects of Spanish pragmatic and lexical constraints in the interpretation of L2 English anaphora

This study examined the interpretation of English anaphora by native Spanish speakers and potential transfer pragmatic lexical requirements into English. It further evaluated whether appropriate contextual information might prime preferred such constructions. Pragmatic rules governing co-indexation in constructions differ substantially operate quite differently two languages. require obligatory disjoint reference for subject pronominals finite complement subjunctive clauses pre-posed adjunct clauses. The properties verbs reflexive, reciprocal, intransitive retention element. has no or requirements. appraised effects different on speakers. An act-out task, a corresponding written grammaticality judgement task were administered to adult categorized as intermediate advanced learners Subjects instructed match with referents subjunctives adjuncts. They required judge acceptability sentences containing elements reflexives, reciprocals, intransitives. Results indicated that subjects general ignored first language favour second anaphora. Less proficient apparently encountered some processing difficulty when was within limited time constraints. use also evident