The Interface Hypothesis (IH) was put forward by Sorace and colleagues as an attempt to account for patterns of non-convergence residual optionality found at very advanced stages adult second (L2)acquisition. IH originally proposed that language structures involving interface between syntax other cognitive domains are less likely be acquired completely than do not involve this interface. At the same time, extended bilingual first (L1) acquisition early L1 attrition, which exhibit in...

The primary purpose of this study is to present evidence, based on experimental data from Western European languages, that there orderly variation in the choice perfective auxiliary with intransitive verbs. Specifically, selection sensitive a hierarchy aspectual/thematic verb types: some verbs require given categorically, whereas others allow both auxiliaries greater or lesser extent depending their position hierarchy. It argued gradience has potentially important implications for...

This study presents data from an experiment on the interpretation of intrasentential anaphora in Italian by native speakers and English who have learned as adults reached a near-native level proficiency this language. The two groups were presented with complex sentences consisting main clause subordinate clause, which had either overt pronoun or null subject pronoun. In half preceded (forward anaphora) other (backward anaphora). Participants performed picture verification task they to...

Judgments of linguistic acceptability constitute an important source evidence for theoretical and applied linguistics, but are typically elicited represented in ways which limit their utility. This paper describes how MAGNITUDE ESTIIMATION, a technique used psychophysics, can be adapted eliciting judgments. Magnitude estimation is shown to solve the measurement scale problems plague conventional techniques; provide data make fine distinctions robustly enough yield statistically significant...

This article deals with the interface between syntax and discoursepragmatics/semantics in bilingual speakers. Linguistic phenomena at have been shown to be especially vulnerable both child adult bilinguals; here we explore four variables that contribute this vulnerability different extents depending on nature of interface: underspecification, cross-linguistic influence, quantity quality input, processing limitations. We investigate role played by aforementioned two recently completed...

In this paper we present some results from an experimental study that have been conducting into the effects of syntactic attrition on L1 Greek and Italian speakers who achieved near-native proficiency in their L2 (English) but still use a regular basis. particular, test hypothesis, developed basis assumptions regarding modularity, changes syntax will be restricted to interface with conceptual /intentional cognitive systems. The area investigation is domain grammatical subjects Italian. More...

The findings from a number of recent studies indicate that, even in cases successful bilingual first language acquisition, the possibility remains certain degree crosslinguistic influence when choice between syntactic options is affected by discourse pragmatics. In this study we focussed on use referring expressions, prime candidates to test interaction syntax and pragmatics, compared distribution subjects objects Italian English child (1;10–4;6) with that two groups MLUw-matched...

The term 'near-native', used to refer speakers at the most advanced stage of second language acquisition, may denote either incompleteness their competence (lack given L2 properties) or divergence (interlanguage representations properties that are consistently different from native representations). An undifferentiated use conceals fact and two distinct states grammatical compe tence, corresponding qualitatively kinds ultimate attain ment. This article looks linguistic intuitions French L1...

Montrul's study is an important contribution to a recently emerged research approach the of bilingualism and languages in contact, characterized by its sound theoretical basis reliance on data from different – traditionally non-integrated domains language development: bilingual first acquisition (Müller Hulk, 2001; Paradis Navarro, 2003; Serratrice, 2004; Sorace Paoli, press), adult second (Filiaci, Sorace, 2003), native attrition (Gurel, 2002; Tsimpli, Heycock Filiaci, press). The...

A number of recent studies have argued that bilingual children's language comprehension and production may be affected by cross-linguistic influence. The overall aim this study was to investigate whether the ability judge grammaticality a construction in one is knowledge corresponding other language. We investigated how English–Italian Spanish–Italian children monolingual peers judged plural NPs specific generic contexts English Italian. also explored community, age, typological relatedness...

ABSTRACT The focus of this study is the acquisition grammatical gender in Greek and Dutch by bilingual children whose other language English. Although languages share property noun classification terms gender, there are important differences between under investigation here both morphological cues for marking available to child developmental path followed monolingual children. offers limited input but shows consistent regular patterns on all members nominal paradigm. This difference...

The point of departure this study is the well-known hypothesis according to which structures that involve syntax–pragmatics interface and instantiate a surface overlap between two languages are more vulnerable crosslinguistic influence than purely syntactic domains (e.g. Müller Hulk, 2001). In exploring validity for later stages bilingual acquisition, aims establish whether occu only in one direction, i.e. from English Greek, structural factors can account directionality effects, language...

The present study explores the cross-linguistic differences between Spanish and Italian in anaphoric interpretation of null subjects overt pronominal subjects. availability a language is determined by parametric settings its syntax, but their felicitous use as an alternative to pronouns depends on contextual conditions affecting how different expressions retrieve antecedents discourse. According Accessibility Theory, at least some these principles must have universal validity; however, up...

This paper considers the nature of second language dialogues, involving at least one non-native (L2) speaker. We assume that dialogue is characterised by a process in which interlocutors develop similar mental states to each other (Pickering & Garrod, 2004). first consider various means align their states, and suggest why such alignment may be different dialogues from native (L1) speakers. Specifically, we L2 speakers conversing with L1 speakers, other, sketch range experimental predictions.

We investigated the impact of a short intensive language course on attentional functions. examined 33 participants one-week Scottish Gaelic and compared them to 34 controls: 16 active controls who participated in courses comparable duration intensity but not involving foreign learning 18 passive followed their usual routines. Participants completed auditory tests inhibition switching. There was no difference between groups any measures at beginning course. At end course, significant...

The recent hypothesis that L1 attrition affects the ability to process interface structures but not knowledge representations (Sorace, 2011) is tested by investigating effects of re-exposure on antecedent preferences for Spanish pronominal subjects, using offline judgements and online eye-tracking measures. Participants included a group native speakers experiencing (‘attriters’), second attriters exposed exclusively before they were (‘re-exposed’), control monolinguals. judgement data shows...