Russian Verbs of Motion in L2 Acquisition: Testing the Efficacy of a Usage-Based Approach

Authors

Tobias-Alexander Herrmann, University of Cologne

Author ORCID Identifier

ORCID: 0000-0002-1756-7420

Keywords

Russian verbs of motion, usage-based linguistics, second language acquisition

Abstract

Unprefixed Russian motion verbs present unique challenges for second language (L2) learners as they encode distinct types of motion events. Traditional, directionality-based methods of teaching these verbs have faced criticism, prompting the adoption of alternative, cognitively informed approaches. This article builds on usage-based methodologies, such as those proposed by Nesset and Janda (2022), to investigate whether teaching unprefixed verbs of motion (UVoMs) as constructions can enhance L2 instruction. Using the frequent UVoM pair idti and xodit′ , both meaning ‘walk’, as a case study, I pursue two main goals. First, drawing on corpus data, I examine the construction UVoM + prepositional phrase in order to determine how its components—verb form, preposition, and noun—serve as cues for selecting the appropriate verb. I argue that contextual construal, as encoded in the construction’s elements, drives verb choice. Second, I evaluate the potential efficacy of this approach by modeling an idealized learner of Russian. The findings reveal that learners using contextual cues embedded in constructions can accurately select the correct verb in most cases. These results underscore the value of a construction-based, usage-driven framework for teaching UVoMs, thus offering strategic input that aligns with cognitive linguistic principles and supports L2 acquisition.

Recommended Citation

Herrmann, T. (2025). Russian Verbs of Motion in L2 Acquisition: Testing the Efficacy of a Usage-Based Approach. Russian Language Journal, 75(1). https://doi.org/10.70163/2831-9737.1493