L1toL2WritingProcessandStrategyTransferALookatLowerProficiencyWriters

Although many L2 writers use their Ll in some way while writing in theL2,the amount of Ll used during L2 writing is not the same for all L2writers.In general,proficient L2 learners do not depend heavily on theLl to drive the writing process because they have a sufficient level ofL2 automaticity and knowledge to think and plan in the L2 (Jones Tetroe,1987).However,lower L2 proficiency writers rely more heavily on theirLI during the writing process in order to sustain the process and preventa complete breakdown in language (Arndt,1987;Cumming,1989;Raimes,1985;Uzawa Cumming,1989).[-1-]Uzawa and Cumming (1989)observed two distinct strategies that helpedsustain the writing process of their lower L2 proficiency subjects.Onethey termed "keeping the standard"and the other "lowering the standard.Keeping the standard strategies were used in L2 writing in order tomaintain the level of writing achieved in the Ll.These were strategiessuch as taking more time,revising extensively,and seeking assistance.Lowering the standard strategies were used in order to complete thewriting task within a reasonable amount of time and without excessivemental effort.These were strategies such as reducing information,simplifying syntax,substituting lexical items,and ignoring readerconcerns.The subjects in the study produced L2 papers that had lesscontent than their Ll writing,but about equal quality to their Ll writing.Overall,the Ll aided in keeping the standard.If the Ll was not used,we can surmise that the quality of writing would have been lower than itwas and the standard would have had no checks and balances in place tokeep it on a higher plane.Several studies have looked at the effect of composing in the Ll and thentranslating into the L2 (Cohen Brooks-Carson,2001;Kobayashi Rinnert,1994).These studies have found that the lower L2 proficiency writersbenefited from composing in the Ll and then translating into the L2,aresult that highlights the importance of using Ll composing strategiesfor lower L2 proficiency writers.Jones and Tetroe (1987)did a study on the effect of Ll use during L2writing.They found that the lower L2 proficiency writers who did not usetheir Ll were less effective in their planning.The writers who did usetheir Ll produced more details during the planning stage of L2 writing.Furthermore,the Ll facilitated more abstract thought during planning.Research QuestionAlthough we have some understanding of how lower proficiency writers copewith the demands of writing in an L2,our picture is still incomplete.One area in which we still have little understanding is the degree to which