Resolution of English Pronouns by Vietnamese EFL Learners
Resolution of English Pronouns by Vietnamese EFL Learners

Summary/Abstract: Successful discourse comprehension involves accurate interpretation of anaphoric expressions such as pronouns (e.g., he, him) and reflexives (e.g., himself, herself), which is thought to be structurally constrained under the Binding theory. Previous research has shown that L2 learners whose L1 anaphors are resolved under structural constraints different from those of the L2 encounter greater difficulty interpreting L2 anaphoric expressions. This study explores Vietnamese EFL learners’ knowledge of the Binding Principles (Chomsky, 1981) and their applications in anaphora resolution. Forty-five intermediate and advanced Vietnamese EFL learners completed a forced-choice anaphora test consisting of 24 items. Results reveal that the advanced learners are more accurate in selecting suitable antecedents for both pronouns and reflexives. However, the intermediate learners face challenges, particularly in interpreting pronouns, performing significantly worse than the advanced learners. The findings prompt discussions regarding the implications of the Binding Principles and the potential influence of pragmatic knowledge, suggesting the need for further investigations incorporating pragmatic aspects.

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