@article{jbp:/content/journals/10.1075/sic.19018.wan, author = "Wang, Yixin", title = "Politeness and pragmatic transfer in L2 pronominal address usage: Variation of T/V pronouns in Spanish by Chinese learners", journal= "Spanish in Context", year = "2022", volume = "19", number = "1", pages = "25-47", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1075/sic.19018.wan", url = "https://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/sic.19018.wan", publisher = "John Benjamins", issn = "1571-0718", type = "Journal Article", keywords = "L2 Spanish", keywords = "T/V address forms", keywords = "Chinese", abstract = "Abstract

This study investigates how Chinese learners of Spanish, who have a T/V distinction in their first language (L1), use the T/V address forms in Spanish as a second language (L2). Findings show that the learners rely mainly on their L1 pragmatic knowledge to employ the T/V in the L2. Despite having relatively good grammatical control of T/V, the learners produced frequent T/V alternation due to negative pragmatic transfer. In Chinese using V normally conveys speaker’s perception of a high-power differential and in relationships that are borderline T or V usage, shifting from T to V can convey deference and tends to co-occur with face-threatening or face-enhancing acts. The learners transferred from Chinese their tendency to use V to express deference and overutilized this politeness strategy in Spanish regardless of their relationship with the addressee. This problematic usage may generate negative social consequences and calls for pedagogical intervention.", }