Chapter published in:
L3 Syntactic Transfer: Models, new developments and implications
Edited by Tanja Angelovska and Angela Hahn
[Bilingual Processing and Acquisition 5] 2017
► pp. 143–171

Transfer effects in the acquisition of double object constructions in English as an L3

| Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU)
| Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU)
The present study examines the role of transfer in the processing of double object constructions (DOC) in English as a third language (L3). A group of Basque/Spanish bilinguals and a group of Spanish speakers divided into three proficiency levels completed a self-paced reading task. Findings did not fully confirm the predictions of the L3 transfer models. Evidence from accuracy and reaction time data indicated a non-facilitative role of transfer since participants did not reach native-like accuracy rates across proficiency levels. Moreover, transfer does not seem to occur solely from Spanish, as predicted by the Typological Primacy Model. Proficiency level seems to be relevant when determining transfer in dative alternation.
Keywords: double object constructions, dative alternation, L3, transfer
Published online: 15 August 2017
https://doi.org/10.1075/bpa.5.08agi
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