Crosslinguistic Influence in the Acquisition of the English Definite Article by Portuguese Learners
- Autores: Albina Silva Loureiro
- Directores de la Tesis: María Rosa Alonso Alonso (dir. tes.)
- Lectura: En la Universidade de Vigo ( España ) en 2026
- Idioma: inglés
- Materias:
- Enlaces
- Tesis en acceso abierto en: Investigo
- Resumen
This study focuses on the role of crosslinguistic influence (CLI) in the acquisition of the English definite article by Portuguese learners of English. Its scope is both descriptive and explanatory, aiming to identify patterns of article use and misuse while also accounting for the underlying cognitive and linguistic mechanisms that give rise to them. The research is limited to learners within the Portuguese educational context, specifically high school and university students, in order to provide a coherent and comparable framework for analysing developmental trajectories. The investigation is restricted to the definite article and its alternation with the zero article, as this domain offers a particularly rich site for examining subtle semantic contrasts and L1–L2 mismatches. Indefinite articles are not included, allowing for a more focused and in-depth analysis of definiteness. The study further narrows its scope by examining contexts that are especially prone to divergence between Portuguese and English, such as generic reference, institutional expressions, and fixed constructions. Two key variables define the analytical scope: educational level and proficiency level. Educational level allows for the comparison between different stages of formal instruction, while proficiency provides a more precise measure of linguistic competence across groups. By combining these variables, the study seeks to capture both institutional and developmental dimensions of L2 acquisition. Additionally, the scope includes both perception and production, enabling a comprehensive assessment of learners’ knowledge and use of the target structure.
