An investigation of the automatization process in language processing with respect to the development of foreign language proficiency

本项目试图通过心理语言学和生理实验来探索外语学习者对语言理解和产生的自动化过程。主要发现如下：(1)RST的得分显著低于其他类型的RST，且与英语水平得分显著相关，RST尤其对句法加工具有认知负荷。英语熟练程度在很大程度上取决于句法处理的自动化程度。(2)造句任务（句法加工）的自动化程度随着学习者流利程度的提高而提高，第二语言流利程度较高的学习者比第二语言流利程度较低的学习者可选择将更多的认知资源分配给故事理解。

This project attempted to ecplore the automatization process for langauge comprehension and production by foreign language learners through psycholingusitic and physiological experiments. The major findings are as follows: (1)Sscores on the RST, which places a cognitive load on syntactic processing in particular, was significantly poorer than those of other types of RSTs and correlated significantly with English proficiency scores. English proficiency largely depends on the degree of automatization of syntactic processing. (2)The process required to carry out the sentence building task(syntactic processing) becomes more automatic as the learners' fluency level increases, and the learners with higher L2 fluency had the option of allocating more of their cognitive resources to story comprehension than did the learners with lower L2 fluency.