ERIC Number: EJ1431132
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1479-0718
EISSN: EISSN-1747-7530
Why Do Learners Overcome Non-Facilitative Transfer Faster from an L2 than an L1? The Cumulative Input Threshold Hypothesis
International Journal of Multilingualism, v21 n3 p1594-1620 2024
While formal L3 morphosyntactic acquisition research has focused on the roles of the L1 versus L2 during the L3 initial stages, we examine their roles during development. Specifically, we explore whether the L3 (here, Portuguese) revision process after non-facilitative transfer differs whether the initial L3 representation reflects the L1 or L2. If this initial L3 representation is the same for a group whose source is their L1 and a group whose source is their L2, it is plausible to predict similar developmental processes between groups. However, recent data have shown between-group developmental differences despite a similar L3 starting point. In an effort to isolate the variable(s) behind such differences, we investigate the roles of dominance and formal instruction via two sets of L3 morphosyntactic judgments. The first set excludes dominance, with similar patterns in English-dominant versus Spanish-dominant L1 Spanish data. The second set excludes formal instruction, whereby L2 Spanish data shows L3 convergence for a property not explicitly taught and L1 Spanish data does not. As an initial hypothesis for further exploration of between-group differences, we propose the Cumulative Input Threshold Hypothesis: The rate of developmental recovery from non-facilitative transfer is inversely related to lifetime input of the source language.
Descriptors: Multilingualism, Second Language Learning, Native Language, Transfer of Training, Portuguese, Spanish, Language Dominance, Prediction, Second Language Instruction, Morphology (Languages), Syntax, Language Role, Linguistic Theory, English (Second Language), Language Proficiency, Comparative Analysis, Grammar, Undergraduate Students, Language Tests, Advanced Students, Heritage Education, Cloze Procedure, Rating Scales, Age Differences, Participant Characteristics, Error Patterns
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1132289