Development of Pragmatic Perception

This chapter investigates the longitudinal development of pragmatic perception in young Chinese second language (L2) learners. The analysis draws on data collected through a web-based Cartoon Perception Scaled-Response Task (CPST). The analyses focus on learners’ ability to evaluate the appropriateness of utterances across multiple speech act situations. The findings revealed that young L2 learners’ (YLLs) overall pragmatic perception remained largely stable over time, with only slight, non-significant upward trends observed in some contexts. These results suggest that learners’ sociopragmatic awareness and sensitivity to contextual variables were relatively well established from the outset and showed limited progression during the study period. The chapter argues that this stability reflects the slow-developing and input-dependent nature of receptive pragmatic competence in early instructed settings.