The Effect of Lexical Aspect on the Use of English Past Marking by Cantonese ESL Learners and Its Pedagogical Implications

Abstract

This chapter reports the findings of a study that tested whether lexical aspect of the predicate of a sentence affects the supply of English past marking by native Cantonese-speaking learners of English who had received English education for more than 12 years. The Aspect Hypothesis predicts that past morphology is first used with telic predicates (e.g. accomplishments and achievements), and later spreads to atelic predicates (e.g. activities and statives). The results from a grammaticality judgment task and a cloze test showed that the participants were more likely to use past morphology when the predicate was telic than when it was atelic, suggesting that lexical aspect still affects the supply of English past marking by late-stage learners. These findings deviate from the predictions of the Aspect Hypothesis, suggesting that, even after a long period of English instruction, the effect of lexical aspect is still visible. This chapter also discusses the potential advantages of pedagogical approaches such as Processing Instruction and Cognitive-Grammar-inspired instruction over traditional grammar explanation in mitigating the effect of lexical aspect.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Descriptors of English learners achieving Level 3 at HKDSE (Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, 2014)

Candidates at this level typically

• understand literal spoken English when delivered at moderate speed in familiar accents in familiar situations, and are able to identify views expressed in straightforward texts and the speakers’ attitudes and intentions when they are explicitly expressed

• understand simple texts, especially if the topic is familiar, and are able to follow the development of an explicit argument and identify explicit opinions presented within them, make straightforward inferences and work out the meaning of unfamiliar words when a familiar context is given, and respond in part to simple written instructions requiring relevant information from the texts to be used to complete a task

• write in a relevant, organized and creative way when the context is familiar, using some more complex sentence structures and common vocabulary accurately, and adopting the main elements of a style suitable to the purpose

• use a range of simple common expressions with fluency, pronouncing familiar words accurately, and responding to others in a sustained manner

Appendix 2

Ungrammatical target items in the grammatical judgment task

Stative

Sally participated in a debating competition. She was so nervous that she stuttered on the stage. She looks embarrassed in front of the adjudicators.

John and I went wine tasting. He could tell the subtle differences between wine varieties. Rioja, the red wine he tried at the tasting session, tastes a bit sour.

Sam’s grandfather die. He used to take care of Sam when Sam was a baby. He loves Sam very much.

I passed by a musical band on the street. The performers lifted the atmosphere very well. Their performance involves interactions with the audience.

Activity

I saw a man singing loudly on the street. A woman told him to shut up but he didn’t. Then they fight.

The Lee family had a day off. Each family member agreed to do some housework. They all clean their own rooms.

The science teacher listed the steps of dissecting a frog clearly. We watched him quietly. Although we found it disgusting, we learn the steps by heart.

Jenny’s father was terminally ill. Unfortunately, she couldn’t afford such a hefty surgery cost. She works several part-time jobs to earn as much money as possible.

Accomplishment

I invited Alice to perform at my wedding party. She put on a magic show. Then, she sings three songs for the guests.

The Sunshine Sportswear Limited held an interview. The management asked the candidates a few questions. The candidates then present an advertising campaign for the company’s new polo shirt.

On Minnie’s birthday, her boyfriend, Eddie brought her to Disneyland. There they joined a cookery workshop. Eddie eventually bakes a chocolate cake.

I enrolled in a marathon. Katy followed suit even though she wasn’t good at running. Surprisingly, she runs ten kilometers in the marathon.

Achievements

Mum panicked because my brother got lost in Ocean Park. Mum requested help from the information center. Thanks to the broadcast, one staff member finds him based on Mum’s descriptions.

Uncle George invited Aunt Daisy to be his dance partner. She hesitated because she didn’t dance well. Upon multiple invitations, Aunt Daisy finally accepts it.

Jimmy, a committee member, supervised the funfair. Miss Chan inquired about the funfair. To every question the teacher posed, Jimmy responds “I don’t know.”

I had my breakfast on a bus to the city center. The driver blamed me for not abiding by the rules. He refuses to give me a ride.

Appendix 3

Target items in the cloze test

Stative

A tsunami struck the city’s coastal areas. The waves damaged lots of public infrastructure. In retrospect, the high efficiency of the reconstruction work ______ (deserve) recognition.

It was the first time I had a family dinner with my step sister. She remained silent throughout the dinner. She _______ (seem) to be dissatisfied with me.

Our English teacher warned us not to take the coming exam too lightly. I studied all the notes in great detail. Preparation for the exam _______ (deprive) me of sleep and I fell asleep at the exam.

A car accident involving a taxi and a minibus occurred on Ocean Road. The reporters took some pictures at the scene and wrote an article. The article falsely _______ (imply) that the taxi driver was responsible for the accident.

Activity

The bad weather delayed flight BA345. The airline’s crew made an announcement. A number of passengers ________(sit) at the check-in lobby.

Mum and I went on a one-day tour to Sai Kung. We tried a variety of seafood for lunch. After dinner, we _______ (stroll) along the beach to enjoy the night view.

My brother, a stuntman, hurt his leg badly on the set. Mum was so worried that she prayed to God day and night. She _______ (kneel) in front of the altar without eating or drinking.

David used to be overweight. To lose weight, he tried eating less junk food. He also __________ (exercise) more often.

Accomplishment

Ben was a raging alcoholic. He failed to battle his addiction. At his 25th birthday party, he even _________(drink) two liters of red wine.

In a bakery class, Mr Tong introduced the recipe for Black Forest cakes. He first mixed some eggs into the flour, baking powder, milk and oil. Then, he ________ (melt) some chocolate bars to make the sauce.

The class wanted to win the blackboard design competition at the school’s Christmas party. Every class member helped with the decoration work. They ________ (erase) the blackboard after the event.

The staff meeting ended later than the scheduled time. My friend at the cinema phoned me to see where I was. I then __________ (rush) to the cinema to meet her.

Achievements

A child got lost in the forest. The parents called the police. Later, the police ____________ (discover) the child’s body hidden in thick undergrowth.

I encountered unfair treatment from the management. No colleagues offered me emotional support. Therefore, I _________ (resign) from the company.

While crossing the street, Max dropped his wallet on the zebra crossings. He bent down to pick it up. Not noticing Max, a bus driver ______ (knock) him over.

The global economic situation negatively affected the willingness of spending. Some policies were formulated to stimulate demands for retail goods and services. Nonetheless, thousands of small businesses _______ (close) down due to the poor economy.