Japanese EFL Learners' Null Subjects in the Control and Seem Raising Constructions

Abstract

This study examines whether or not Japanese speaking learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) understand referents of null subjects in infinitives, based on experimental results we obtained during the investigation of L2 acquisition of the control and seem raising constructions. In particular, it is revealed that the acquisition of PRO and A-movement is influenced by intervention and L1 transfer effects. By examining these constructions, we wish to deepen our understanding of null subjects in Japanese EFL learners' interlanguage grammars.