The development of semantic relations in second language speakers: A case for Latent Semantic Analysis

Abstract

This study explores how a Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) index provided by Coh-Metrix can be used as a method to examine the development of lexical networks in second language (L2) speakers. Using the LSA index along with an index of lexical development (lexical diversity), a measure of general linguistic development (TOEFL scores) and indices of lexical overlap in a yearlong longitudinal study, this study demonstrates that semantic similarity along with TOEFL and lexical diversity values significantly increase as learners study a second language. Measures of word overlap did not demonstrate significant growth. The findings demonstrate that the LSA value reported by Coh-Metrix can be used to approximate lexical growth and that L2 learners likely begin to develop tighter semantic relations between utterances and words within a short period of time. This finding implies the growth of lexical networks. This study also has important implications for the development of coherent speech patterns in L2 learners.