Linguistic Transfer: Studying Third Language Acquisition in University Context

Abstract

While much past work in linguistics has focused on second language acquisition and the interlanguage that is developed within such an individual, this project would investigate the way that such an interlanguage influences a learner of a third language. Previous studies on third language acquisition (TLA) have largely focused on determining the initial state of L3 interlanguage. To contribute to the discussion on TLA, this study would be concerned specifically with students with experience in the formal classroom setting and gauge interference from an L1 or L2 on the acquisition of an L3. While various forms of interference can be identified (lexical, morphological, syntactic, etc.), it would be helpful to identify what sorts of interference occur with the greatest frequency. I propose to Identify general characteristics of language that students commonly struggle with in acquiring a third language and create speech tasks of varying formality to engage with these errors that individuals commit