Options
Functional-lexical code-paired norms of Mandarin-English bilinguals
Author
Ong, Kenneth Keng Wee
Supervisor
Zhang, Lawrence Jun
Abstract
This study delves into metalinguistic parameters behind functionallexical code-paired patterns as produced by Mandarin-English bilinguals who are post-secondary students in Singapore. Code-pairing refers to the use of two codes within a single constituent, specifically the determiner phrase which the study focuses on. Mandarin and English are the two codes examined in this study.
A blended research methodological approach using both statistical and ethnographic methods was used to cull data about the use of code-paired noun phrases from polytechnic students. A questionnaire was devised to survey students’ preferences for a code-paired pattern, namely, Mandarin Det + English N, or English Det + Mandarin N. A language observation journal is kept to record code-mixed spontaneous speech as uttered by polytechnic students, particularly focusing on code-paired noun phrases.
The study found that there is a prevalent code-paired pattern of noun phrases, specifically Mandarin Det + English N, in both the quantitative and qualitative data collected. This pattern extends over gender and dominant language differences. Taking MacSwan’s (2000) postulation that the bilingual mind operates with two lexicons and one computational system, the bilingual inevitably makes comparative choices in code-pairings in terms of metalinguistic filters of grammatical versatility and grammatical feature. These filters are functions of the morphosyntactic relationship of language pairings. Grammatical Versatility Filter relates to Chomsky’s (1995) economy principle of representation, while Grammatical Feature Filter relates to the Grammatical Features Spell-out Hypothesis (GFSH). The study found that the morphosyntactic dissimilarity between Mandarin and English activates both filters. As Mandarin determiners are mostly versatile in grammatical functions vis-à-vis their English counterparts, bilinguals prefer to use Mandarin determiners. In the lexical category, English nouns are preferred for their interpretable feature of number which Mandarin nouns lack.
Pedagogically, the study suggests that for less competent bilinguals, English language teaching should focus on the definiteness and indefiniteness of English articles. For Mandarin language teaching, a familiarization of Mandarin lexical equivalents of English lexis through a cross-linguistic approach is recommended.
A blended research methodological approach using both statistical and ethnographic methods was used to cull data about the use of code-paired noun phrases from polytechnic students. A questionnaire was devised to survey students’ preferences for a code-paired pattern, namely, Mandarin Det + English N, or English Det + Mandarin N. A language observation journal is kept to record code-mixed spontaneous speech as uttered by polytechnic students, particularly focusing on code-paired noun phrases.
The study found that there is a prevalent code-paired pattern of noun phrases, specifically Mandarin Det + English N, in both the quantitative and qualitative data collected. This pattern extends over gender and dominant language differences. Taking MacSwan’s (2000) postulation that the bilingual mind operates with two lexicons and one computational system, the bilingual inevitably makes comparative choices in code-pairings in terms of metalinguistic filters of grammatical versatility and grammatical feature. These filters are functions of the morphosyntactic relationship of language pairings. Grammatical Versatility Filter relates to Chomsky’s (1995) economy principle of representation, while Grammatical Feature Filter relates to the Grammatical Features Spell-out Hypothesis (GFSH). The study found that the morphosyntactic dissimilarity between Mandarin and English activates both filters. As Mandarin determiners are mostly versatile in grammatical functions vis-à-vis their English counterparts, bilinguals prefer to use Mandarin determiners. In the lexical category, English nouns are preferred for their interpretable feature of number which Mandarin nouns lack.
Pedagogically, the study suggests that for less competent bilinguals, English language teaching should focus on the definiteness and indefiniteness of English articles. For Mandarin language teaching, a familiarization of Mandarin lexical equivalents of English lexis through a cross-linguistic approach is recommended.
Date Issued
2006
Call Number
P115.3 Ong
Date Submitted
2006