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Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism
Vol. 5:2 (2015) ► pp.215–251

Interpretation of NPs in generic and existential contexts in L3 Brazilian Portuguese

This paper examines the interpretation of NPs in generic and existential contexts in the acquisition of Brazilian Portuguese (BrP) as a third language (L3) by learners who speak English and a Romance language (Spanish, French or Italian). The paper examines whether transfer / cross-linguistic influence is from English, Spanish/French/Italian, or both, and whether it matters which language is the learners’ first language (L1) vs. their second language (L2). An Acceptability Judgment Task of NP interpretation in BrP is administered to L1-English L2-Spanish/French/Italian and L1-Spanish L2-English learners of BrP as an L3, as well as to a control group of native speakers of BrP. The findings point to a nuanced picture of transfer in L3 acquisition, in which both languages can serve as the source of transfer, but transfer from a previously learned Romance language is more pronounced than transfer from English, both for L1-English L2-Romance and L1-Spanish L2-English L3-learners of BrP.
Keywords: third language acquisition, genericity, Brazilian Portuguese, existential readings, bare NPs
Published online: 10 July 2015
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https://doi.org/10.1075/lab.5.2.03ion
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