On the L2 mental lexical network structures for Chinese English L2 learners
By employing network science and analyzing data from an English word association test of Chinese English L2 learners and native English speakers,this study examined the structures of L2 learners'mental lexical networks at the macro,meso,and micro levels.It was found that 1)L2 learners'mental lexical networks exhibited significant distinctions in average shortest path length(ASPL)and clustering coefficient(CC)compared to their corresponding random networks;and 2)while no significant difference was observed in macro network measures,there was a significant difference in meso measures between L2 learners'mental lexical networks and those of native speakers.At the micro level,L2 learners'mental lexical networks comprised both semantic and non-semantic associations,whereas native speakers'networks were predominantly characterized by semantic associations.Additionally,L2 proficiency influenced L2 learners'mental lexical networks but only at the micro level.Specifically,the semantic associations of the high-proficiency L2 learners outnumbered those of the low-proficiency learners.Therefore,we constructed a Chinese English L2 learners'mental lexical network as a complex network featuring an optimized layout and high accessibility.As L2 proficiency improved,the proportion of semantic associations within the network increased,leading to a better-organized network.
万方数据
维普
