Online processing of the grammatical aspect marker by L2 Chinese learners

The perfective aspect marker in Chinese is partly functionally similar to inflectional suffixes Indo-European languages but non-inflectional and lexical nature, lying thus at the semantics–syntax interface. This provides us with opportunity compare directly syntactic semantic constraints during second language (L2) sentence processing. present study explored how L2 learners as their first (L1s) process marker. Competition Model prioritizes processes entailed by cross-linguistic transfer from participants’ L1s, this prediction might be challenged concurrent functioning of processes. In an event-related potentials (ERP) experiment, 22 European language-speaking low intermediate proficiency level 20 native speakers (i.e. control group) participated. An aspectual agreement paradigm was used for materials. Results showed that mismatch condition, a shorter learning experience were more likely show P600-like component, indicating morpho-syntactic routine, supporting predictions based on Model. Those longer N400-like component speakers. shift P600 N400 advanced suggests L1–L2 similarity may exert much stronger influence than experience.