Chinese Verb Complement Constructions of Manner and States: A Corpus-Based Comparison Between L1 and L2 Speakers

Abstract

This paper deals with the acquisition of Verb Complement Constructions of Manner and States (VCM/S, 方式/情态补语) from a comparative and corpus-based perspective. An examination of L1 and L2 Chinese VCM/S production and development yields three main findings: (a) there are marked quantitative and qualitative differences between L1 and L2 VCM/S production at both construction and component levels; (b) these persistent productive differences reflect the indispensable roles of psycholinguistic factors, such as frequency, complexity, form-meaning mapping, and co-occurrence patterns of VP and VC, especially on verb choices; and (c) L2 VCM/S construction learning is like any other construction learning that follows a U-shaped learning path that consists of unique and distinctive stages. The process also involves both implicit factors and explicit classroom input and instruction. The theoretical and pedagogical implications of these findings are discussed.