Interpretation of anaphoric and cataphoric subject pronouns by L2 Portuguese speakers: effects of native language

• Autor(a) principal: Lobo, Maria
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Madeira, Ana, Silva, Carolina
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.26334/2183-9077/rapln3ano2017a9
• topic: português; pronome sujeito; resolução de anáfora; L2; L2; Portuguese; subject pronoun; anaphora resolution

This paper investigates the interpretation preferences for null and overt subject pronouns in anaphoric and cataphoric contexts in L2 Portuguese and, specifically, whether: i) the L1 of the participants (Italian and German) influences their interpretation; ii) there is evidence of development; iii) there are differences determined by pronoun type and context. The results of a picture selection task administered to the L2 groups and a group of L1 adults show that the distinction between null and overt subjects is established early; learners distinguish anaphoric and cataphoric contexts and their performance may be influenced by processing constraints; there is some development from beginner to advanced level, visible in the Italian group mainly for overt pronouns; and the proximity of the L1 appears to facilitate L2 acquisition.