Title: Lateral (morpho)syntactic transfer : an empirical investigation into the positive and negative influences of French on L1 English learners of Spanish within an instructed language-learning environment
Abstract: This thesis explores lateral (morpho)syntactic transfer – non-native transfer at
the level of morphology and syntax – from French among L1 English learners of
Spanish in an instructed language-learning environment. A quantitative and qualitative
study was conducted to investigate the positive and negative influences of L2 French
and to identify learners’ foreign language experiences and strategies in making
interlingual connections.
The quantitative study focused on providing statistical evidence of
morphological and syntactic transfer and comprised three groups: The EN/FR/SP Group
consisted of 28 L1 English learners with five years’ instruction in French and two in
Spanish; the EN/SP Group consisted of 22 L1 English learners with two years’
instruction in Spanish and no prior knowledge of French; the SP Group consisted of 36
monolingual Spanish speakers.
The qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews to gain
a greater understanding of learners’ ability to apply interlingual connections and draw
on prior language-learning experiences and strategies. Participants consisted of 10 L1
English learners with six years’ instruction in French and three in Spanish.
It is argued that knowledge of a non-native language plays a pivotal role in the
learning of a further typologically similar one at the level of morphology and syntax.
The overall results suggest that positive transfer may be facilitated and negative transfer
may be highlighted and understood through cross-linguistic comparisons, with
important pedagogical implications for future research.
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-01-01
Language: en
Type: dissertation
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