Abstract
This chapter explores the use of English phrasal verbs (PVs) by Norwegian L2 learners by investigating data from the Norwegian part of the International Corpus of Learner English (ICLE) and the Louvain International Database of Spoken English Interlanguage (LINDSEI). A total of 1,489 PVs were first identified and analyzed for possible contrast between spoken and written modes. While the findings reveal some differences between both individual L2 learners and also between the spoken and written corpora, the general perception that the use of English PVs is highly problematic for language learners is not supported. The roles of metaphoricity and L1 transfer in relation to divergent PVs were also investigated. Findings suggest that metaphor may provide more help than hindrance to L2 language learners, but we find that more reliable investigation requires larger datasets of L2 learner language than are currently available.
