?Pedro comió la torta‟ vs. ?Pedro se comió la torta‟:L2 Acquisition of Spanish Telic ?se‟ constructions?

SONIA SUÁREZ CEPEDA

Anuario de la Facultad de Ciencias Humanas

Editorial de la Universidad Nacional de La Pampa (EDULPam)

Lugar: Santa Rosa, La Pampa; Año: 2005 vol. 1 p. 277 - 277

1514-6227

bstractThis article examines the acquisition of the aspectual properties of the Spanish se in transitive constructions by L2 learners of Spanish. Based on a parameterized distinction of the telic features in English and Spanish, this study investigates whether second language (L2) learners are able to reset the aspectual value of the English parameter to that of Spanish in their interlanguage grammar. Results indicate that L2 learners’ responses to a picture interpretation task vary according to proficiency levels.Low-intermediate and intermediate learners did not differentiate between telic and atelicconstructions whereas advanced learners successfully acquired the telic properties of thetransitive se constructions. Results were interpreted in the light of current theories ofsecond language acquisition and the mental representation of aspect in interlanguage.