Uses and Functions of Formulaic Sequences in Second Language Speech: An Exploration of the Foundations of Fluency

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Wood
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Formulaic Sequences

scholarly journals The functions of formulaic speech in the L2 class

Pragmatics ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Girard
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Structural Knowledge ◽  
Formulaic Sequences ◽  
Communicative Function ◽  
Planning Strategy

This study deals with Formulaic Speech (FS) usage in the context of the partial L2 immersion class. It tries to define and classify FS according to its functions. The fact that learners resort to FS shows that second language production is not only based on the construction of sentences from scratch but also on the integration of formulaic sequences in discourse. But what is the use of FS? What are the possible functions it performs? We attempt to show that FS makes up for a lack of structural knowledge and might therefore be used as a learning strategy in the acquisition of structure. Then we consider the psycholinguistic function of FS and try to demonstrate that it might be a pre-planning strategy and a way for the learner to economize effort on processing and thus focus on his or her learning of the language. Finally, the paper analyzes the communicative function of FS and its role in the relation between speaker and hearer, and suggests that it might play a part in the development of pragmatic competence.

scholarly journals Formulaic Sequences and the Implications for Second Language Learning

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Xu
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Formulaic Sequences

<p>The present paper is a review of literature in relation to formulaic sequences and the implications for second language learning. The formulaic sequence is a significant part of our language, and plays an essential role in both first and second language learning. The paper first introduces the definition, classifications, and major features of formulaic sequences. Then relevant studies on second language learning are reviewed, and pedagogical implications will be drawn from previous research. It is suggested that more emphasis should be put on prefabs in foreign language teaching, but at the same time, there is also danger of overemphasizing the role of prefabs in SLA research, given limited exposure to the target language in a foreign language learning environment.</p>

The development of formulaic sequences in first and second language writing

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Brook O'Donnell ◽  
Ute Römer ◽  
Nick C. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Second Language Writing ◽  
Formulaic Sequences ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Corpus Design ◽  
Language Writing ◽  
N Gram ◽  
Design And Methods

Formulaic sequences are recognised as having important roles in language acquisition, processing, fluency, idiomaticity, and instruction. But there is little agreement over their definition and measurement, or on methods of corpus comparison. We argue that replicable research must be grounded upon operational definitions in statistical terms. We adopt an experimental design and apply four different corpus-analytic measures, variously based upon n-gram frequency (Frequency-grams), association (MI-grams), phrase-frames (P-frames), and native norm (items in the Academic Formulas List – AFL-grams), to samples of first and second language writing in order to examine and compare knowledge of formulas in first and second language acquisition as a function of proficiency and language background. We find that these different operationalizations produce different patterns of effect of expertise and L1/L2 status. We consider the implications for corpus design and methods of analysis.

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