A1 Journal article (refereed)
Konjunktiot ja syntaktinen kompleksisuus : konjunktioiden käyttö suomi toisena kielenä -teksteissä eri taitotasoilla (2022)

Mylläri, T. (2022). Konjunktiot ja syntaktinen kompleksisuus : konjunktioiden käyttö suomi toisena kielenä -teksteissä eri taitotasoilla. Puhe ja kieli, 42(3), 175-200. https://doi.org/10.23997/pk.126146

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Mylläri, Taina

Journal or series: Puhe ja kieli

ISSN: 1458-3410

eISSN: 2342-7213

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 29/12/2022

Volume: 42

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 175-200

Publisher: Puheen ja kielen tutkimuksen yhdistys ry

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23997/pk.126146

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/85305

Abstract

Learner language development is often analysed by measuring complexity, accuracy and fluency. Complexity can be defined as the range and sophistication of the structures available to the learner, yet syntactic complexity is typically analysed using quantitative measures tapping subordination. This article focuses on the development of syntactic complexity in written learner Finnish across the CEFR proficiency levels by exploring changes in the use of conjunctions. The data are drawn from the corpus of the Jyväskylä University CEFLING project. The development of syntactic complexity in terms of coordination and subordination is explored by tracking changes in the use of coordinate and subordinate conjunctions. Syntactic complexity as the range of forms used by the learner is explored by investigating the emergence and frequency of individual conjunctions. The results question the role of subordination in the development of syntactic complexity in learner Finnish, as they show that both coordinate and subordinate conjunctions are already used by learners on the lowest CEFR levels. The results also indicate that development in the use of conjunctions may be different for adult learners and adolescent learners

Keywords: second language; Finnish as a second language; language learning; language skills; grammar; syntax; conjunctions; complexity

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1