ABSTRACT This project analyses the multi-functional Spanish SE and features of verb morphology that this particle forces on verbs of reflexives, passives and impersonals . The generative framework has been adopted to examine the acquisition and processing of SE at two proficiency levels (intermediate and advanced), through completion of a self-paced reading as an online task.The project contributes to the existing debate between two competing theories; the Failed Functional Features Hypothesis, FFFH, (Hawkins & Chan, 1997), which is contrary to the possibility of feature resetting in the second language, and the Full Access Full Transfer Theory, FAFT, (Schwartz & Sprouse, 1994, 1996), which differs from the former in its final acquisitionaspect by arguing that a learner can acquire new features of a different value in the L2. Reflexive, impersonal and passive structures with SE were approached as very different constructions as to verbal features. This project follows Mendikoetxea's (2008) proposal that the verb of impersonals is defective or devoid of person and number features, as it is not in agreement with any element of the sentence. Passive sentences are seen as partially defective structures, lacking person, but not a number feature. Mendikoetxea's (2008) analysis of impersonals and passives was adapted to reflexives to contrast how reflexives with SE do contain a person and number feature, as the verb agrees at all times with the subject of the sentence. Results of the self-paced reading measure support FAFT. The advanced learners patterned with the native speakers in taking more time to read reflexives and passives, the structures with features. This project proposes that processing difficulties with SE in real time relate to verbal features, and not order of instruction, or frequency of appearance in Spanish. The more the features that need to be checked, the longer the processing time on the given structure. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Modern Languages in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2013. / April 19, 2013. / Features, Impersonal, Pedagogy, Processing, Reflexives, Syntax / Includes bibliographical references. / Michael Leeser, Professor Directing Dissertation; Lara Reglero, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Michael Kaschak, University Representative; Gretchen Sunderman, Committee Member; Carolina González, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_183884 |
| Contributors | Rodriguez, Estrella (authoraut), Leeser, Michael (professor directing dissertation), Reglero, Lara (professor co-directing dissertation), Kaschak, Michael (university representative), Sunderman, Gretchen (committee member), González, Carolina (committee member), Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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