Delving into the Morphosyntactic Choice of ELF Authors: A Case Study of Relative Clauses in Academic Writing
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Abstract
The objective of this research study was to analyze the use of relative clauses with regard to types and characteristics in the academic writing, i.e. research manuscripts, of ELF writers. The data was collected from international academic conference proceedings with papers published over a three-year period. Based on the types proposed by McCarthythe results revealed, the ELF writers’ preference for defining clauses over non-defining relative clauses, with a significant usage frequency of the relativizer that. The characteristics of relative clauses used by ELF writers were analyzed according to the modified, ELF-based taxonomy. The analysis found the author’ preference for the presence of a relativizer, use of the relativizer that, relativized subjects as pronouns, center-embedded relative clause position, and active voice construction. This study surveyed the morphosyntax system of a sample of ELF writers through their academic writing and illustrates the flexibility and fluidity of ELF speakers’ language use.
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