The Effects of First Language Orthographic Features on Second Language Reading in Text

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of first language (L1) orthographic features on second language (L2) reading. Three groups of fluent L2 readers with a variety of L1 backgrounds (i.e., Chinese, Japanese, and Persian) were provided with English passages printed in either alternated case or a normal manner and asked to read them for comprehension. Results showed that the Chinese and the Japanese (nonalphabetic L1 groups) were more adversely affected by case alternation than was the Persian group (an alphabetic L1 group), in terms of reading speed. This suggests that, because of L1 effects on basic processing in L2 reading, L2 readers with a nonalphabetic L1 background were less efficient in processing English words than those with an alphabetic L1 background.