Cause Analysis Of Covert Nonnative-Like Phenomenon (CNLP): Within The Domain Of Vocabulary Use

The covert nonnative-like phenomenon (CNLP) specifically refers to the kind of non-erroneous language use bearing first language (L1) influence, contrasting with the traditional erroneous nonnative-like phenomenon. CNLP is a new term developed and coined out of the study of nonnative-like phenomenon in recent years.Even when the covert nonnative-like (CNL) expression does not lead to error, it can result in stylistic infelicity, or in the systematic overuse of common items which are more congruent with the mother-tongue equivalent or in the systematic avoidance of common items which are less congruent with the mother-tongue equivalent. Therefore, CNLP is a phenomenon that needs noticing and warning against during the process of second language (L2) learning.As for the causes of CNLP, we believe that the L1 is a factor that has a determinant influence on L2 attainment. To be more specific, the presence of L1 brings about the exterior obstacle, i.e., a lack of authentic context compatible for L2 learning on the one hand and breeds interior impediment, i.e., the presence of the L1 lemma information preventing the incoming of the L2 lemma information in the L2 lexical entry, on the other hand. It is argued that the main problems of CNLP reside in three traits of L2 learning: non-completeness of learning/contextual network, a lack of authentic language context and L1 lemma invasion.One unsurpassable deficiency of L2 learning, comparing with the L1 learning, is that L2 learning is not complete before the end state. Part of the language context, especially the culturally distinct context, is absent from or not so well grounded in the learners' contextual network. And the absence of the culturally distinct context induces the degradation to the non-optimal language use by the way of employing the culturally similar context. CNLP is such a kind of language degradation.According to the Compensation Hypothesis, language transfer occurs because of a lack of authentic L2 context compatible with L2 use which incurs a mismatch of L2 linguistic forms with L1 contextual knowledge. Whereas, CNLP occurs because the deficiency of authentic L2 context in China demands the compensation of the culturally similar, acceptable L1 context for the culturally distinct, optimal L2 context.According to the Three-Stage Lexical Development, the culturally similar L1 lemma intrudes into the L2 lexical entry in the L1 lemma mediation stage, stubbornly resisting the incoming of the culturally distinct L2 lemma. And as the connection between culturally similar L1 lemma and L2 lexeme strengthens over use, the weight of this connection grows so strong that it prevents a well formation of the linkage between the culturally distinct L2 lemma and L2 lexeme, in which case, CNLP takes place.For fear that pure theoretical reasoning would sound hollow, a research was also carried out after the cause analysis with the purpose of testing the validity of the cause analysis in the form of classroom discussion. The discussion, which is about the causes for the CNLP, was recorded, scripted out and data analyzed. The results verified the causes analyzed before. The implications for L2 classroom are also provided thereafter with the aim to shorten the length of CNLP stage with the help of educational intervention.