This paper proposes a novel formal semantic analysis of echo questions built upon the idea that they are questions about expressions. Although similar concepts have been occasionally expressed in the literature, no formal models have been proposed that directly reflect this metalinguistic concept. Specifically, we propose a compositional semantics of echo questions formulated in the structured ...

Various studies have confirmed the influential role of corrective feedback (CF) in the development of different linguistic skills and components. However, little, if any, research has been conducted on comparing types of linguistic errors treated by teachers through CF. To bridge this gap, this study sought to investigate the linguistic errors addressed and the types of CF provided by teachers....

This study employed a mixed-method approach including classroom experiment and 24 in-depth interviews, to investigate the effects of two feedback techniques (coded focused unfocused written corrective feedback) on L2 learners in self-financed tertiary institute Hong Kong. Three intact classes 47 students served as control groups; group only received content organization, whereas groups also lin...

How does abstract structure emerge during language learning? On some accounts, children’s early syntax emerges from direct generalizations from particular lexical items, while on others, syntactic structure is acquired independently and follows its own timetable. Progress on differentiating these views requires detailed developmental data. Using parental reports of vocabulary and grammar abilit...

What I hope to achieve in this paper is some rather deeper understanding of the semantic and pragmatic properties of utterances which are said to involve the phenomenon of metalinguistic negation. According to Larry Horn, who has been primarily responsible for drawing our attention to it, this is a special non-truthfunctional use of the negation operator, which can be glossed as 'I object to U'...

Abstract In this paper I argue that metalinguistic negotiations are not as common David Plunkett and Timothy Sundell assume. They make two related controversial claims: the claim speakers don’t know what they say directly communicate contents. These claims generate challenges metalinguistic-negotiation view should meet. Firstly, it clarify why oblivious to saying communicating, secondly, explai...