Variation among E-S and E-O Psych Verbs in Korean L2 Learners’ Linking Problems

Abstract

This study investigates Korean L2 learners’ linking problems in the acquisition of English psychological verbs (henceforth, psych verbs). Specifically, it attempts to show that each of the two classes of English psych verbs, E-S (Experiencer-Subject) and E-O (Experiencer-Object) psych verbs, is not homogeneous but can be further divided into two subclasses-Agentive and Non-agentive verbs, and these subclasses of E-S and E-O verbs are not equally susceptible to linking errors. In order to show this, the present study conducted two kinds of experiments on Korean L2 learners of English. The results of the acceptability judgment test suggest that Korean learners are able to make a distinction within E-S and E-O class, treating each class as heterogeneous class composed of Agentive and Non-agentive verbs. The results of argument structure test show that a substantial discrepancy was observed among E-S and E-O verbs in terms of accuracy rates; in both classes, the learners show higher accuracy rates on Agentive verbs than Non-agentive verbs. The findings from this study suggest that, both in E-S and E-O class, Non-agentive verbs would cause more linking problems than Agentive verbs would. Based on this result, the present study proposes that Korean L2 learners’ linking problems are not just caused by general linking rule or L1 morphology, as the previous studies have argued, but also caused by verb’s agentivity.