A Study On Correlation Between Chinese And English Reading Ability On The Basis Of CUP: From LT Perspective

Based on theory of Common Underlying Proficiency (CUP) in bilingual research, this thesis reports an empirical study on the correlation between Chinese reading ability and English reading ability of Chinese English learners whose L2 proficiency is probably at the level of senior three of senior high middle school. Three questions are proposed in an attempt to clarify the relationship between the two: 1) Is there any relevance between L1 reading ability and L2 reading ability? Or is there any possibility for L1 reading ability to be transferred to L2 reading? 2) Does L2 proficiency greatly affect L2 reading ability? In comparison with L1 reading ability, does it affect L2 reading ability more? 3) It is held that L1 reading ability is one of the sub-ability of L1 literacy, therefore, what's the relationship between L1 literacy and L2 reading ability? Does it correlate to L2 reading ability or not?In the field of SLA, the role of L1 is one of the controversial topics in the literature. However, linguistic researchers have not achieved consensus on whether L1 knowledge has positive or negative influence in second language acquisition. From different standpoint of view, theories about the influence of L1 on L2 learning are controversial. Theory of Contrastive Analysis (CA) and Creative Construction (CC) are two of the representatives. CA holds that L1 shows negative influence / negative transfer because of the differences between the two systems of language, while CC claims that L1 has no effects on L2 learning.Development of cognitive psychology brings new insight to the SLA research. The investigation of language transfer (LT) is not restricted to the linguistic aspect any more, but to expand the area because of influence from cognitive psychology. Characterized as a process independent of the effect it brings about, transfer becomes a psycholinguistic procedure by means of which L2 learners activate their L1 knowledge in developing or using their interlanguage. The research on L1 transfer is no more focus on the...