An Analysis of L2 Readers’ Comments on Kanji Recognition

The paper investigated how adult L2 readers with an alphabetic language background learning a language that is orthographically distinctive from their L1, develop awareness of the structural and functional properties of small units of the unfamiliar script. The focus of the present paper is on developing awareness of the structural and functional properties of sub-character units (components) of kanji, Chinese characters used in Japanese. Participants with different levels of kanji knowledge were asked to verbally account for their performance in kanji processing tasks. Overall, interview data suggest that L2 readers gradually develop their awareness of components in four aspects: positions and combinations, semantic function, phonological function and the limitations of the functions. The data further suggest the following points: The awareness is not absolute, but improves as exposure to the script increases. Rudimentary awareness begins to emerge very early and develops in a sequence dictated by the orthographic principles. In the process of the development, the focal point of the awareness shifts from global to local, and the awareness, once perfected, goes background.