Backward anaphora in L2 acquisition of English, Mandarin and Japanese

This study reports findings from two experiments on backward anaphora by second language (L2) learners of English, Mandarin, and Japanese, examining the effects of first language (L1) systems and whether a pronoun resolution pattern requiring syntax–discourse integration can be successfully acquired. The findings from Experiment 1 comparing English and Mandarin demonstrate that the availability of positive evidence for Mandarin-speaking learners of L2 English allows them to achieve a native-like pattern, whereas it is difficult even for advanced English-speaking learners of L2 Mandarin to acquire the syntax–discourse integration pattern that Mandarin requires. Experiment 2 compared two languages that show the syntax–discourse integration condition for backward anaphora (Japanese and Mandarin) to further investigate (1) whether L2 speakers were influenced by their L1 patterns, or (2) whether a pattern as in English, i.e. not requiring syntax–discourse integration, would emerge regardless of the L1s. The findings from Experiment 2 reveal an effect of L1 system because the Mandarin-speaking learners of L2 Japanese, the Japanese-speaking learners of L2 Mandarin, and the two groups of native speakers display similar patterns of interpretation.