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L3 Syntactic Transfer: Models, new developments and implications
Edited by Tanja Angelovska and Angela Hahn
[Bilingual Processing and Acquisition 5] 2017
► pp. 127–142

Chapter 6
On pronouns that drop (out of German)

The null-subject parameter (NSP) is a well-studied syntactic feature within the field of L3 learning. The present study explores whether the L2 status factor (e.g., Bardel & Falk, 2012) exerts such a strong impact that the NSP from a non-typologically close or even similar L2 (Spanish/Italian) can be transferred into the L3. Data were recorded from two absolute beginners of L3 German (L1 Swedish, L2 English, French, Spanish, Italian) during a semester. The results show that both participants transferred the NSP from their weakest L2 into German. These results are discussed in relation to theories about transfer in L3 learning: the L1 transfer hypothesis, the L2 status factor, and the Typological Proximity Model. The results support the L2 status factor.
Keywords: transfer, L3 learning, null-subject parameter, L2 status factor
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Theories and models aiming at explaining transfer behavior in L3 learning
    • The NSP in L3 learning research
    • Research question
  • Material and method
    • Participants
    • Procedure
    • Instruments
    • Coding
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion and implications for the future
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 15 August 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/bpa.5.07fal
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