Null Subject Sentences in ‘Because’ Subordinate Clauses and L1 Transfer in English Writing by Korean Learners of English

Abstract

The null subject parameter holds significant implications for L1 transfer in language acquisition. English learners whose native language permits null subject sentences often exhibit a tendency to omit subjects in their English expressions (Tati, 2021). This research investigates whether Korean English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners demonstrate a similar inclination toward using null subject sentences in their English writing. This inquiry is particularly pertinent as Korean, akin to Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, is characterized by subject-drop features. Moreover, the study endeavors to elucidate the impact of the topic-prominence feature in Korean on the writing proficiency of Korean learners of English. To achieve these objectives, a thorough analysis was conducted on 20 compositions written by advanced EFL learners enrolled in an all-English University Program in South Korea. The error analysis revealed that 16 students consistently made subject-omission errors, with a pronounced frequency in subordinate clauses introduced by ‘because.’ Intriguingly, these learners also employed fragment ‘because’-clauses as a means to organize information in a topic-comment structure. This study contributes valuable insights into the manifestation of L1 transfer in the writing skills of Korean EFL learners and highlights the nuanced ways in which topic-prominence influences their English language performance.