Are Function Words Functioning Well? A Corpus-based Investigation of Function Words in Different Qualities of L2 English Argumentative Essays

Abstract

Based on extensive studies of the value of function words in language use, this research examined the relationship between native like frequency of function words and L2 writing quality. Through a keyword analysis of Korean students L2 English writing corpus, this study identified ten function words that showed a distinctive frequency in a learner corpus in comparison to a native speaker corpus. In particular, this study examined the use of function words, which showed native like frequency in advanced L2 writing, hinting at the potential of function words as indicators of overall writing quality. The findings of this study suggested that the use of first person pronouns (I, my), conjunctive adverbs (so, because, but, as), the proverb do, articles (the, a/an), and the preposition of showed native like frequency in more advanced L2 writing. Qualitative examination of the function words revealed that basic level writing showed a stronger degree of writer visibility and a higher dependency on a limited range of lexical devices to deliver causal and contrastive semantics. It is hoped that this study invites more academic and instructional attention to the use of function words in L2 writing pedagogy and provokes further investigation of L2 learners’ use of function words.