Generalization

A recent line of work examines how experience with specific multiword phrases may enable learners to generalize their previous knowledge to novel but related contexts. In a way, this project looks at how more schematic constructions emerge in a second language.

Research has shown that native speakers generalize their knowledge of conventional phrases productively to expand their usage into more schematic constructions. Generalization is a basic mechanism in language because it allow for speakers to produce novel and creative utterances. This project explores whether, and to what extent, L2 learners are able to generalize new lexical-syntactic knowledge to novel, but semantically related contexts. 

Related work

Pulido, Manuel F. (2023) Generalizing knowledge of L2 collocations: The roles of within- and cross-language similarity on acceptability and ERPs. Language Learning. http://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12543 Pre-print pdf

Pulido, Manuel. F. (2023). Processing conventional and non-conventional multiword units: Evidence of similarity-based generalization from judgements and brain potentials. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience. First View. https://doi.org/10.1080/23273798.2022.2157028 Pre-print pdf