Foreign accentedness in third language acquisition
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Magdalena Wrembel
Abstract
Research on the phonological acquisition of a third language (L3) is still in its infancy; therefore, the present contribution is intended to further investigate the area by focusing on the phenomenon of foreign accentedness and the widely disputed sources of cross-linguistic influence in L3 phonology. The study employs the technique of perceptual judgement of a foreign accent in a third language. It aims to determine whether trilingual speakers of typologically unrelated languages (i.e. L1 Polish, L2 French and L3 English) have a tendency toward L1- or L2-accented speech in L3 performance and whether this tendency is subject to change with respect to different L3 proficiency levels. The results, based on the raters’ identification of the subjects’ first language, point to the prevailing influence of the L1 Polish on the L3 English phonology irrespective of the level of L3 language proficiency, although some impact of the L2 French was also identified. Further research involving different language combinations is necessary to corroborate the directions and strength of the combined native and non-native cross-linguistic influence in the process of the acquisition of L3 phonology.
Abstract
Research on the phonological acquisition of a third language (L3) is still in its infancy; therefore, the present contribution is intended to further investigate the area by focusing on the phenomenon of foreign accentedness and the widely disputed sources of cross-linguistic influence in L3 phonology. The study employs the technique of perceptual judgement of a foreign accent in a third language. It aims to determine whether trilingual speakers of typologically unrelated languages (i.e. L1 Polish, L2 French and L3 English) have a tendency toward L1- or L2-accented speech in L3 performance and whether this tendency is subject to change with respect to different L3 proficiency levels. The results, based on the raters’ identification of the subjects’ first language, point to the prevailing influence of the L1 Polish on the L3 English phonology irrespective of the level of L3 language proficiency, although some impact of the L2 French was also identified. Further research involving different language combinations is necessary to corroborate the directions and strength of the combined native and non-native cross-linguistic influence in the process of the acquisition of L3 phonology.
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
