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Heritage language proficiency does not predict syntactic CLI into L3 English

Author

Summary, in English

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.

Publishing year

2021

Language

English

Pages

435-451

Publication/Series

International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism

Volume

24

Issue

3

Links

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Topic

  • Comparative Language Studies and Linguistics

Keywords

  • wh-questions
  • Heritage Speakers
  • L3 acquisition
  • syntax
  • Italian

Status

Published

Research group

  • LAMiNATE (Language Acquisition, Multilingualism, and Teaching)
  • Language Acquisition

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1367-0050