| Qualitative differences in word association responses generated by non-native and native English language students serve as the basis for exploration of lexical systems.;Word association responses are evaluated in order to determine what occurs as stimulus words are apprehended, as stimulus words are processed internally and as response words are generated. In terms of stimulus apprehension, missing and miscued responses are evaluated. For internal processing, primary, synonymous, antonymous, coordinate, superordinate, subordinate, syntagmatic, paradigmatic and marked responses are analyzed. For response generation, non sequitur, unreadable and misspelled responses are assessed.;Associations are interpreted in this study in light of Piaget's work in cognitive adaptation as a process during which stimulus words are apprehended and then assimilated to and accommodated by a pre-existing network of stored lexical units. Response words are generated as a result of the subject's active matching of stimulus and response words based upon the salience of features of the stimulus words and the range of responses available in the lexical network.;Previous syntax acquisition studies such as that of Dulay and Burt (1975), have demonstrated how the learner utilizes complex and powerful cognitive constructs to internalize the grammatical rules which govern language behavior. This study offers support for the interpretation of vocabulary acquisition as a creative construction process. . . . (Author's abstract exceeds stipulated maximum length. Discontinued here with permission of school) UMI.;Two forms of a sixty item written free word association test based upon the Palermo and Jenkins (1964) test are developed and administered to two hundred non-native English language students at beginning, low intermediate, high intermediate and advanced proficiency levels and two hundred native English language students of comparable age and in the same high school setting. Twenty-four thousand word association responses are evaluated and analyzed statistically by frequency tabulations, chi squares and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients. |
