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- PaperApplied Linguistics26 May 2026
Vocabulary structure in foreign language learners: a complex network analysis perspective
Maria Pilar Agustín Llach
Using complex network analysis, this study compares lexical organization in heritage minority and local EFL learners in Spain, finding no quantitative differences but qualitative variations in semantic network structures. Heritage learners' vocabulary networks reflect their linguistic and cultural backgrounds, with distinct cluster formations, while all networks exhibit small-world properties for efficient retrieval.
Original abstract
This empirical study explores the vocabulary structure of heritage minority learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) within a Spanish mainstream educational context. Using graph analysis and complex network theory, the study examines lexical organization among learners of local origin (Spanish monolinguals) and heritage multilingual learners from Arabic, Romanian, and Urdu backgrounds. Results reveal no significant quantitative differences in lexical production among groups, but qualitative distinctions in lexical-semantic structures emerge. Heritage learners exhibit vocabulary networks influenced by their linguistic and cultural backgrounds, with distinct cluster formations compared to local learners. Small-world properties characterize all lexical networks, indicating efficient word retrieval structures. Findings highlight the role of schooling in standardizing vocabulary acquisition while cultural and linguistic experiences shape lexical access patterns. The study underscores the need for plurilingual approaches in EFL education to accommodate diverse linguistic backgrounds.