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Cross-linguistic Transfer in Reading in Multilingual Contexts
Edited by Elena Zaretsky and Mila Schwartz
[Benjamins Current Topics 89] 2016
► pp. 43–64

How do previously acquired languages affect acquisition of English as a foreign language

The case of Circassian

| Oranim Academic College of Education, Israel
| Oranim Academic College of Education, Israel
| Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities, University of Haifa, Israel
| Oranim Academic College of Education, Israel

The present study aims to examine the linguistic and orthographic proximity hypothesis in new script acquisition by comparing the performance of Circassian L1 speaking children who are emerging quadri-literates with Hebrew L1 speaking children who are emerging biliterates. Tests in decoding and spelling various English target conventions were conducted. Thirty 10 year old Circassian L1 speaking children were compared to 46 Hebrew L1 speaking children. Results show that the group of Circassian L1 speaking children outperformed the group of Hebrew L1 speaking children and showed a significant advantage in decoding and spelling target orthographic conventions. There were no significant differences between the two groups on decoding and spelling the silent 〈e〉, which provided a challenge for both groups. The results provide support for the linguistic and orthographic proximity hypothesis whereby phonemes and orthographic characteristics that exist in a child’s first or additional language system and writing system facilitate acquisition of orthographic conventions in a new language and writing system.

Keywords: Circassian, decoding, EFL, Hebrew, linguistic and orthographic proximity, spelling
Published online: 3 October 2016
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/bct.89.03kah
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