Negotiation for meaning and feedback among language learners

Abstract

Negotiation for meaning (NfM) in second language acquisition is defined as an attempt to overcome comprehension problems. This paper addresses a level of NfM: Requests for clarification in terms of communicative intent that are not generated from linguistic problems or communication breakdowns. It also explores reasons for the emergence of this level of NfM from the view of a language user. With particular reference to the meaning of utterances, the paper discusses whether certain inputs are able to be resolved through NfM. This paper points out that this type of negotiation may provide the learner with an opportunity to acknowledge language use in terms of intentions, rather than solely focusing on achieving comprehension.