Pragmatic Markers in L2 and Heritage Learners Is There a Study Abroad Effect?

Abstract

The use of pragmatic markers (e.g., bueno, pues, o sea) are essential to shape the discourse, manage the conversation and contribute to increased perceived fluency. However, research on the effects of study abroad on the use of Pragmatic Markers (PMs hence force) has been scarce. This study investigates PM usage by heritage and second language learners of Spanish before and after a study abroad experience. In particular, it examines whether initial proficiency level, use of Spanish in the homestay and learner type influence the use of PMs in terms of frequency and variety. Oral data were collected from 32 participants in a Spanish study abroad program through semi-structured interviews before and after their sojourn. These interviews were transcribed and coded for a quantitative analysis of PM frequency, variety, linguistic type (lexical vs. non lexical) and function (self-regulatory filler, interpersonal and textual). Results indicate that a study abroad experience significantly influences the use of PMs among L2 and HL learners in terms of lexical variety but not overall frequency. However, when considering other factors, such as type of learner, languages spoken at their homestay, initial proficiency and the linguistic type of PMs, frequencies varied significantly while lexical variety did not. Overall, our results confirm previous studies (Rieger, 2003) and indicate a developmental trajectory from silences, to filled pauses with non-lexical markers (eh, uhm, ah . . . ), and to lexical markers (bueno, pues, entonces), with some small differences between the two learner types.