Repair Initiation by Advanced Non-heritage Korean Learners

Abstract

ABSTRACT Taking a conversation analytic perspective, this study examines advanced non-heritage Korean learners' repair initiation practices. By examining interaction between Korean native speakers (NSs) and nonnative speakers (NNSs), the study particularly addresses two questions: 1) Is there any similarity and/or difference between NSs and NNSs in terms of their repair practices? 2) Is there any similarity and/or difference between advanced and lower level speakers in terms of their repair practices? In terms of repair initiation format, NNSs display a similar preference with NSs. However, in their responses to the repair initiations, we found a different pattern between NSs and NNSs. Speakers sometimes employ different repair initiation formats from target issues. While NNSs tend to rely more on the surface format in interpreting the repair initiations, NSs frequently notice the discrepancy and interpret hearing repair initiations as understanding problems. Advanced Korean learners show some differences from lower level speakers in terms of preferred other-repair initiation formats. They produce most understanding repair initiations whereas the lower level speakers produce substantially more hearing repair initiations. Also, advanced speakers tend to use 'questioning-repeat', as a turn-holder, mostly in the subsequent turn to a NS's question.