Specificity Reexamined in Article Choice by Korean EFL Learners

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of the semantic feature specificity on the choice of the article by Korean EFL learners, partially replicating Ionin et al. (2004) with modifications. First, the results of a forced-choice elicitation yielded that the use of the in the indefinite contexts is not random, but systematic. That is, learners at lower levels turned out to associate [+specific] with the definite article, which decreased at higher levels. Second, the L2 data also suggests that the semantic feature specificity needs to be redefined as proposed by Enç (1994). Based on the findings, this study presents both theoretical and pedagogical implications for the semantic feature specificity as well as L2 acquisition of the article.