Lexical development in a third language
In this chapter, I discuss lexical
development in third language (L3) acquisition.
One of the most researched aspects within this area is
cross-linguistic influence (CLI), that is the
role of previously acquired languages, the first and/or
second language (L1 and L2), on the learning and use of the
L3. While much research has been carried out on learners at
beginner’s level, there are also many studies on learners at
intermediate and advanced levels. Such studies allow for an
examination of lexical development beyond the initial
state. This chapter presents an overview of the
main results and accounts for the ways in which previously
acquired languages affect lexical development in the L3. The
overview shows that overall, lexical CLI tends to diminish
as proficiency in the L3 increases. However, when making a
distinction between formal and meaning-based
CLI, a more complex pattern emerges, with
meaning-based CLI tending to occur more at later stages of
acquisition. Finally, some L3 studies indicate that learners
take advantage of both their L1 and their L2 when taking
vocabulary tests; this lends support to the hypothesis of a
cognate advantage found in L2 research.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Vocabulary acquisition
- 3.Lexical cross-linguistic influence in an L3
- 3.1Formal CLI
- 3.2Meaning-based CLI
- 3.3Cognate effects
- 3.4L1 vs. L2 influences
- 4.Discussion and conclusions
-
Note
-
References
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