Measuring Second Language Pragmatic Competence: A Psycholinguistic Perspective

This book investigates how second language (L2) learners pragmatic abilities in English can be measured, using both established and original methods. It supports the theoretical basis of the tests with a confirmatory factor analysis and explores their use to investigate L2 linguistic proficiency, study abroad, and formal instruction.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 12 March 2024
Publisher: Multilingual Matters

This book delves into the realm of psycholinguistics, aiming to measure the pragmatic abilities of second language (L2) learners in English. Building upon previous research on implicit and explicit grammar testing, the authors present a comprehensive set of tests that employ both established methods and innovative approaches. These tests encompass a range of scenarios, such as role plays, a Metapragmatic Knowledge Test, an Irony Test, and an Elicited Imitation Test. The authors elucidate the development process of these tests and present the results obtained from their work with native speakers of English, Chinese, and Japanese L2 learners. A confirmatory factor analysis further validates the theoretical underpinnings of the tests. Additionally, the book explores the utility of these tests in examining L2 linguistic proficiency, study abroad experiences, and formal instruction. In conclusion, the authors analyze the strengths and limitations of the tests and suggest potential avenues for future research in this field.

Introduction:
The study of second language (L2) acquisition has long been a focal point in linguistics, with pragmatic abilities playing a crucial role in language communication. As L2 learners navigate the complexities of a new language, they must develop not only grammatical competence but also the ability to understand and apply language in real-world situations. This book takes a psycholinguistic perspective, investigating how pragmatic abilities can be measured in L2 learners of English.
Previous Work on Testing Pragmatic Knowledge:
Prior to this book, there has been extensive research on testing implicit and explicit grammar in L2 learners. Implicit tests, such as grammaticality judgments and sentence completion tasks, assess learners' knowledge of grammar rules and their ability to apply them in context. Explicit tests, on the other hand, require learners to produce sentences that demonstrate their understanding of grammar rules and their ability to use them appropriately.
Complementary and Extending Earlier Work:
This book complements and extends earlier work on the testing of implicit and explicit grammar by introducing a set of tests that measure pragmatic knowledge. Pragmatic knowledge refers to the understanding of language in context, including the use of language for communication, persuasion, and social interaction. The authors of this book developed a comprehensive set of tests that encompass various aspects of pragmatic knowledge, including irony, implicature, and deixis.
Development of the Tests:
The authors of this book developed the tests using both well-established methods of measuring pragmatic knowledge and more original tests. Well-established methods include role plays, which allow learners to demonstrate their understanding of language in realistic situations, and Metapragmatic Knowledge Tests, which assess learners' knowledge of the pragmatic functions of language. More original tests include an Irony Test, which measures learners' ability to detect irony, and an Elicited Imitation Test, which measures learners' ability to imitate the pragmatic behavior of others.
Results of the Work with Native Speakers of English, Chinese, and Japanese L2 Learners:
The authors conducted their work with native speakers of English, Chinese, and Japanese L2 learners to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed tests. The results of the study revealed that the tests were able to effectively measure pragmatic knowledge in L2 learners. The tests were able to distinguish between learners with different levels of pragmatic proficiency and were able to identify areas where learners needed improvement.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis:
To further validate the reliability and validity of the tests, the authors conducted a confirmatory factor analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis is a statistical method used to determine the underlying structure of a set of tests. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported the theoretical basis of the tests, indicating that the tests were measuring the intended construct of pragmatic knowledge.
Applications of the Tests:
In addition to their use in measuring pragmatic knowledge, the tests developed in this book have several applications. The tests can be used in language assessment programs to evaluate the pragmatic abilities of L2 learners. They can also be used in language teaching programs to identify areas where learners need additional instruction and support. The tests can also be used in research studies to investigate the relationship between pragmatic knowledge and other aspects of language learning, such as grammatical proficiency and vocabulary acquisition.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the field of psycholinguistics by investigating how pragmatic abilities can be measured in L2 learners of English. The authors present a comprehensive set of tests that employ both established methods and innovative approaches. The tests are able to effectively measure pragmatic knowledge and have several applications in language assessment, language teaching, and research. The book concludes by discussing the strengths and limitations of the tests and proposing some directions for future research in this area.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800417724