Examining the role of L2 syntactic development in L3 acquisition
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Valeria Kulundary
Abstract
We examine the role of L2 syntactic development in L3 acquisition. Participants included 132 L3 learners of English (L2 Russian/L1 Tuvan) and 20 L2 learners of English (L1 Russian). The study focused on the comprehension of coordinate clauses and relative clauses, structures which are similar in Russian and English; L3 learners were tested in both languages. Results for the L3 learners showed that better performance in L2 Russian led to better performance on L3 English coordinate clauses. However, performance on L3 English relative clauses was better predicted by level of English proficiency than L2 Russian syntactic development. We propose that morphosyntactic differences between the L2/L3 can hinder the potential for facilitation between languages despite similarities at the level of syntax.
Abstract
We examine the role of L2 syntactic development in L3 acquisition. Participants included 132 L3 learners of English (L2 Russian/L1 Tuvan) and 20 L2 learners of English (L1 Russian). The study focused on the comprehension of coordinate clauses and relative clauses, structures which are similar in Russian and English; L3 learners were tested in both languages. Results for the L3 learners showed that better performance in L2 Russian led to better performance on L3 English coordinate clauses. However, performance on L3 English relative clauses was better predicted by level of English proficiency than L2 Russian syntactic development. We propose that morphosyntactic differences between the L2/L3 can hinder the potential for facilitation between languages despite similarities at the level of syntax.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Third language (L3) acquisition in adulthood 1
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Part 1. Theory
- L3 morphosyntax in the generative tradition 9
- L3 phonology 33
- The L2 status factor and the declarative/procedural distinction 61
- Rethinking multilingual processing 79
- Multilingual lexical operations 95
- L3/Ln acquisition 115
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Part 2. Empirical studies
- Further evidence in support of the Cumulative-Enhancement Model 143
- Acquisition of L3 German 165
- Examining the role of L2 syntactic development in L3 acquisition 195
- Variation in self-perceived proficiency in two 'local' and two foreign languages among Galician students 223
- Advanced learners’ word choices in French L3 255
- Foreign accentedness in third language acquisition 281
- Index 311
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Third language (L3) acquisition in adulthood 1
-
Part 1. Theory
- L3 morphosyntax in the generative tradition 9
- L3 phonology 33
- The L2 status factor and the declarative/procedural distinction 61
- Rethinking multilingual processing 79
- Multilingual lexical operations 95
- L3/Ln acquisition 115
-
Part 2. Empirical studies
- Further evidence in support of the Cumulative-Enhancement Model 143
- Acquisition of L3 German 165
- Examining the role of L2 syntactic development in L3 acquisition 195
- Variation in self-perceived proficiency in two 'local' and two foreign languages among Galician students 223
- Advanced learners’ word choices in French L3 255
- Foreign accentedness in third language acquisition 281
- Index 311
