What a Bayesian Analysis Can Do for SLA: New Tools for the Sociolinguistic Study of Subject Expression in L2 Spanish

• Published in: Language learning Vol. 63; no. 3; pp. 371 - 399
• Main Authors: Gudmestad, Aarnes, House, Leanna, Geeslin, Kimberly L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2013; Wiley-Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adults. Performance, acquisition; advanced learners; Bayesian analysis; Bayesian Statistics; Form Classes (Languages); Interdisciplinary Approach; Language Acquisition; Language Research; Language Usage; Language Variation; Linguistics; Morphemes; Native Language; Native Speakers; Nouns; Prediction; Production and comprehension processes; Psycholinguistics; Psychology of language; quantitative methods; Second Language Learning; Second Languages; Sociolinguistics; Spanish; Spanish as a Second Language Learning; Spanish language; Statistical Analysis; Subject; subject expression; variation; Verbs; advanced learners; Spanish as second language; Sociolinguistics; Statistical analysis; subject expression; quantitative methods; Psycholinguistics; Spanish; Second language acquisition; variation
• ISSN: 0023-8333; 1467-9922
• DOI: 10.1111/lang.12006

This study constitutes the first statistical analysis to employ a Bayesian multinomial probit model in the investigation of subject expression in first and second language (L2) Spanish. The study analyzes the use of third‐person subject‐expression forms and demonstrates that the following variables are important for subject expression: perseveration, switch reference, number of the verb, specificity, verbal tense/mood/aspect, object pronoun, referent cohesiveness, the interaction of switch reference and referent cohesiveness, and the interaction of native language and four independent variables (number, specificity, tense/mood/aspect, and object pronoun). However, only certain parameters of these independent variables predicted use. The analysis highlights that, for advanced L2 speakers and native speakers, all forms of subject expression (i.e., lexical noun phrases, null subjects, personal pronouns, and other pronouns) allow variation and should be examined for a thorough understanding of subject expression in Spanish. The study offers theoretical and empirical evidence for the need to conduct cross‐disciplinary research in second language acquisition.