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Exploring Syntactic Priming as a Measure of Implicit Language Aptitude

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Title: Exploring Syntactic Priming as a Measure of Implicit Language Aptitude
Language: English
Authors: Li, Shaofeng (ORCID 0000-0002-7763-8964), Qian, Jiancheng
Source: Studies in Second Language Acquisition. Jul 2021 43(3):574-605.
Availability: Cambridge University Press. 100 Brook Hill Drive, West Nyack, NY 10994. Tel: 800-872-7423; Tel: 845-353-7500; Fax: 845-353-4141; e-mail: subscriptions_newyork@cambridge.org; Web site: https://www.cambridge.org/core/what-we-publish/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 32
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Syntax, Priming, Language Aptitude, Construct Validity, Predictive Validity, College Students, Second Language Learning, English (Second Language), Language Tests, Language Proficiency, Grammar, Metalinguistics, Imitation, Cognitive Ability
DOI: 10.1017/S0272263120000698
ISSN: 0272-2631
Abstract: This study investigates the validity of syntactic priming as a measure of implicit language aptitude. Syntactic priming refers to the tendency to reproduce a linguistic structure due to a previous exposure to the structure. The validity of the construct was verified by collating evidence for divergent validity--whether it is dissociable from explicit aptitude; convergent validity--whether it is correlated with other measures of implicit aptitude; and predictive validity--whether it is predictive of learning attainment. One hundred sixty-six university EFL learners completed three tests of implicit aptitude: syntactic priming, sequence learning, and LLAMA_D; three tests of explicit aptitude: LLAMA_B, _E, and _F; and three tests of L2 proficiency: untimed grammaticality judgment, metalinguistic knowledge, and elicited imitation. The results showed that syntactic priming was dissociable from explicit aptitude, but it failed to converge with the other measures of implicit aptitude, and it also failed to predict L2 proficiency. The results also showed that priming was negatively correlated with sequence learning and that sequence learning was a negative predictor of learners' metalinguistic knowledge. On the other hand, the construct validity of explicit aptitude was strong. The results suggest the multidimensionality of implicit aptitude and the need for more research into the construct validity of syntactic priming as a cognitive ability for implicit learning.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1307302
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Exploring Syntactic Priming as a Measure of Implicit Language Aptitude
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Li%2C+Shaofeng%22">Li, Shaofeng</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7763-8964">0000-0002-7763-8964</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Qian%2C+Jiancheng%22">Qian, Jiancheng</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Studies+in+Second+Language+Acquisition%22"><i>Studies in Second Language Acquisition</i></searchLink>. Jul 2021 43(3):574-605.
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  Data: Cambridge University Press. 100 Brook Hill Drive, West Nyack, NY 10994. Tel: 800-872-7423; Tel: 845-353-7500; Fax: 845-353-4141; e-mail: subscriptions_newyork@cambridge.org; Web site: https://www.cambridge.org/core/what-we-publish/journals
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  Data: 32
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  Data: 10.1017/S0272263120000698
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  Data: 0272-2631
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study investigates the validity of syntactic priming as a measure of implicit language aptitude. Syntactic priming refers to the tendency to reproduce a linguistic structure due to a previous exposure to the structure. The validity of the construct was verified by collating evidence for divergent validity--whether it is dissociable from explicit aptitude; convergent validity--whether it is correlated with other measures of implicit aptitude; and predictive validity--whether it is predictive of learning attainment. One hundred sixty-six university EFL learners completed three tests of implicit aptitude: syntactic priming, sequence learning, and LLAMA_D; three tests of explicit aptitude: LLAMA_B, _E, and _F; and three tests of L2 proficiency: untimed grammaticality judgment, metalinguistic knowledge, and elicited imitation. The results showed that syntactic priming was dissociable from explicit aptitude, but it failed to converge with the other measures of implicit aptitude, and it also failed to predict L2 proficiency. The results also showed that priming was negatively correlated with sequence learning and that sequence learning was a negative predictor of learners' metalinguistic knowledge. On the other hand, the construct validity of explicit aptitude was strong. The results suggest the multidimensionality of implicit aptitude and the need for more research into the construct validity of syntactic priming as a cognitive ability for implicit learning.
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        Value: 10.1017/S0272263120000698
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        StartPage: 574
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Syntax
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Priming
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      – SubjectFull: Language Aptitude
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Construct Validity
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      – SubjectFull: Predictive Validity
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Language Tests
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Ability
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