The Syntax And Semantics Strategies Of Japanese Students' Processing Four Types Of Chinese Sentences: A Study Based On The Competion Model

This paper investigates the syntax and semantics strategies of Japanese students in their processing of four typical types of Chinese sentences SVO, SSV, Ba-Construct and Bei-Construct. The results indicated their sensitivity to processing cues for identifying agent changed as a function of proficiency in a second language. Our subjects showed greater sensitivity to semantics effects than the syntax effects and syntax cue displayed its effects mainly in non-marked SVO and SSV. The Japanese group in grade 3 displayed very similar processing strategies with Chinese group after long time's disposure in target language.