Exploring part of speech (POS) tag sequences in a large-scale learner corpus of L2 English: a developmental perspective

Lim, Joyce Dong Ok, Mark, Geraldine, Pérez-Paredes, Pascual and O'Keeffe, Anne 2024. Exploring part of speech (POS) tag sequences in a large-scale learner corpus of L2 English: a developmental perspective. Corpora 19 (1) , pp. 31-59. 10.3366/cor.2024.0297

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Abstract

This research explores the pos tag sequences that shape the transition from upper intermediate (B2 cefr) to near-native proficiency (C2 cefr) in a corpus of essays (n=32,410) from the Cambridge Learner Corpus. Gilquin (2018) and others have shown that pos tag sequences offer a holistic approach to extracting the most commonly used patterns without a starting point of an a priori set of words and word sequences. Using corpus linguistics informed by usage-based theories of language learning, this paper examines the frequency and distribution of 4-slot pos-tag sequences in L2 English writing, drawing on the taxonomy of pattern grammar (Francis et al., 1996, 1998; and Hunston and Francis, 2000). Findings point to the presence of both core and emergent pos-tag sequences in learner language in the two proficiency levels analysed. These sequences point to the presence of dynamic language restructuring processes as learners become more proficient and re-evaluate their understanding of frequency and distribution in English. This paper shows evidence of how language competence increases with proficiency. The research offers new evidence in our understanding of the development of L2 writing in efl contexts.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	English, Communication and Philosophy
Publisher:	Edinburgh University Press
ISSN:	1749-5032
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 June 2023
Date of Acceptance:	7 February 2023
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2024 04:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/160202

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