Home Linguistics & Semiotics Chapter 6. On pronouns that drop (out of German)
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Chapter 6. On pronouns that drop (out of German)

  • Ylva Falk
View more publications by John Benjamins Publishing Company
Search
L3 Syntactic Transfer
This chapter is in the book L3 Syntactic Transfer

Abstract

The null-subject parameter (NSP) is a well-studied syntactic feature within the field of L3 learning. The present study explores whether the L2 status factor (e.g., Bardel & Falk, 2012) exerts such a strong impact that the NSP from a non-typologically close or even similar L2 (Spanish/Italian) can be transferred into the L3. Data were recorded from two absolute beginners of L3 German (L1 Swedish, L2 English, French, Spanish, Italian) during a semester. The results show that both participants transferred the NSP from their weakest L2 into German. These results are discussed in relation to theories about transfer in L3 learning: the L1 transfer hypothesis, the L2 status factor, and the Typological Proximity Model. The results support the L2 status factor.

Abstract

The null-subject parameter (NSP) is a well-studied syntactic feature within the field of L3 learning. The present study explores whether the L2 status factor (e.g., Bardel & Falk, 2012) exerts such a strong impact that the NSP from a non-typologically close or even similar L2 (Spanish/Italian) can be transferred into the L3. Data were recorded from two absolute beginners of L3 German (L1 Swedish, L2 English, French, Spanish, Italian) during a semester. The results show that both participants transferred the NSP from their weakest L2 into German. These results are discussed in relation to theories about transfer in L3 learning: the L1 transfer hypothesis, the L2 status factor, and the Typological Proximity Model. The results support the L2 status factor.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments ix
  4. L3 syntactic transfer – an integrative approach 1
  5. Part I. Refining the existing models on L3 syntactic transfer
  6. Chapter 1. Language control in the context of L3 acquisition 13
  7. Chapter 2. Toward a new understanding of syntactic CLI 35
  8. Chapter 3. Testing the current models of third language acquisition 63
  9. Chapter 4. The L2 status factor hypothesis revisited 85
  10. Chapter 5. Transfer or no transfer; that is the question 103
  11. Part II. New empirical studies on L3 syntactic transfer
  12. Chapter 6. On pronouns that drop (out of German) 127
  13. Chapter 7. Transfer effects in the acquisition of double object constructions in English as an L3 143
  14. Chapter 8. L3 morphosyntactic effects on L1 vs. L2 systems 173
  15. Chapter 9. (When) do L3 English learners transfer from L2 German? 195
  16. Chapter 10. Transfer from an L2 in third language learning 223
  17. Part III. Implications for instructed L3 acquisition
  18. Chapter 11. Input Processing and Processing Instruction 253
  19. Chapter 12. From theory to practice in multilingualism 277
  20. Chapter 13. Input-Practice-Output 299
  21. About the contributors 321
  22. Index 325
https://doi.org/10.1075/bpa.5.07fal

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments ix
  4. L3 syntactic transfer – an integrative approach 1
  5. Part I. Refining the existing models on L3 syntactic transfer
  6. Chapter 1. Language control in the context of L3 acquisition 13
  7. Chapter 2. Toward a new understanding of syntactic CLI 35
  8. Chapter 3. Testing the current models of third language acquisition 63
  9. Chapter 4. The L2 status factor hypothesis revisited 85
  10. Chapter 5. Transfer or no transfer; that is the question 103
  11. Part II. New empirical studies on L3 syntactic transfer
  12. Chapter 6. On pronouns that drop (out of German) 127
  13. Chapter 7. Transfer effects in the acquisition of double object constructions in English as an L3 143
  14. Chapter 8. L3 morphosyntactic effects on L1 vs. L2 systems 173
  15. Chapter 9. (When) do L3 English learners transfer from L2 German? 195
  16. Chapter 10. Transfer from an L2 in third language learning 223
  17. Part III. Implications for instructed L3 acquisition
  18. Chapter 11. Input Processing and Processing Instruction 253
  19. Chapter 12. From theory to practice in multilingualism 277
  20. Chapter 13. Input-Practice-Output 299
  21. About the contributors 321
  22. Index 325
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 12.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1075/bpa.5.07fal/html
Scroll to top button