The Norwegian particles jo and nok in second language writing. A qualitative study of three learner groups from the ASK-corpus

Abstract

This paper deals with the topic of lexical modality in Norwegian as a second language. Basing on data obtained from the ASK-corpus – The Norwegian Language Learner Corpus containing second language texts written in a language examination, the authors analyse the use of two modal particles, jo and nok, by three groups of Norwegian as a second language writers: English, Polish and German. The focus of the study is on analysing lexical patterns for co-occurrence of the modal particles. The patterns used by the learners are compared with the ones used by the native speakers of Norwegian and between the learner groups. The discrepancies found in the data are discussed within the broader framework of second language development and second language writing. The findings suggest that the second language writers’ use of modal particles is influenced by several factors, such as general interlanguage tendencies, transfer from the learners’ first languages and the perception of textual norms.