Advanced Korean Language Learners' Use of Formulaic Language

Abstract

ABSTRACTA growing number of studies find that formulaic language plays an important role in language processing, production, and acquisition (Erman & Warren 2000; Conklin & Schmitt 2008; Wray 2008). Native speakers typically store and retrieve a sequence of words or word strings as a holistic unit. This study investigates advanced Korean learners' use of formulaic language through an analysis of the learners' writings. The study focuses on analyzing the learners' use of collocation, lexical bundles, and idiomatic expressions. Quantitative and qualitative analyses identify the amount, types, and accuracy of their use of formulaic language. The findings show that these learners not only make errors in using the appropriate formulaic sequences, but they also fail to consider the proper contexts. In addition, compared to native speakers, advanced learners tend to overuse a small range of high-frequency familiar formulaic sequences and lack diversity in their use of formulaic sequences. The findings further suggest ways of facilitating formulaic language acquisition.