Heritage language proficiency does not predict syntactic CLI into L3 English

• Autores: Anika Lloyd-Smith, Henrik Gyllstad, Tanja Kupisch, Stefano Quaglia
• Localización: International journal of bilingual education and bilingualism, ISSN 1367-0050, Vol. 24, Nº. 3, 2021, págs. 435-451
• Idioma: inglés
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• Dialnet Métricas: 1 Cita
• Resumen

  • This study examines cross-linguistic influence (CLI) in the acquisition of embedded wh-questions in L3 English in German-dominant heritage speakers (HSs) of Italian. Specifically, we investigate whether a higher proficiency in the heritage language Italian increases the potential for CLI from that language. To this end, 21 adult-aged Italian-German early bilinguals and 32 monolingual controls (L1 speakers of Italian, German, or English) completed an acceptability judgement task that tested the acquisition of embedded wh-questions in English (while also controlling for the acquisition of the relevant properties in German and Italian). Language dominance was assessed using a yes/no vocabulary test and a proficiency index based on various aspects of self-reported language use and proficiency. Our results suggest that syntactic CLI occurs from both languages and that this is unrelated to overall dominance in German or proficiency in Italian.