Learning the Lexical Semantics of Mandarin Monomorphemic State-Change Verbs by English-Speaking Learners of Mandarin Chinese

Languages vary systematically in how semantic information is “packaged” verbs and verb-related constructions. Mandarin Chinese contrasts typologically with English its lexicalization of state change. Most monomorphemic are moot about or imply a change, whereas many (e.g., kill, break) entail the fulfillment Recent studies suggest that form continuum strength state-change implicature. State-change have been found difficult for first language (L1) learners. This study reports two experiments investigate lexical knowledge implied by intermediate (N = 19, mean age 21) advanced 12, English-speaking second (L2) learners Chinese. The results reveal L2 learners’ general preference interpretation their limited sensitivity to nuanced implicature verbs. Typological differences change argued contribute difficulties learning semantics domain Mandarin.