Abstract

This book presents the latest developments in crosslinguistic influence (CLI) and multilingualism research. The contributors, both veteran researchers and relative newcomers to the field, situate their research in current debates in terms of theory and data analysis and they present it in an accessible way. The chapters investigate how and when native and non-native language knowledge is used in language production. They focus on lexis, syntax, tense-aspect, phonology of multilingual production and link it to a range of concepts such as redundancy, affordances, metalinguistic awareness and L2 status. The empirical data have been collected from participants with a wide combination of languages: besides English, German, French and Spanish, there is Finnish, Swedish, Polish, Chinese and Catalan.

This slim volume contributes meaningfully to the field of CLI. The articles contained form a cohesive group, all strongly rooted in the historical and current debates within the field. Perhaps the greatest strength of the volume is the coverage of many distinct language combinations, both European and non-European. Another strength is the way in which all results are considered in terms of their implications for language teaching and curriculum development. The book is most appropriate for readers with a strong background in second language acquisition, although newcomers can also draw insight from the excellent reviews of literature. The volume would make a good addition to a graduate linguistics library, particularly for a program that focuses on bilingualism, language acquisition, or applied linguistics.

This excellent volume provides additional scientific evidence about the role of the previously acquired languages in the study of crosslinguistic influence and multilingualism. The collection also contributes to the theoretical development of the field and should be of interest for all those working on language acquisition, bilingualism and multilingualism.

This book offers a fresh look at crosslinguistic influence in third language acquisition and multilingualism. It sheds new light on important factors-such as affordances and perceived redundancy-that affect crosslinguistic influence but have received very little attention in past research. It also lays new empirical groundwork in areas such as phonology and tense and aspect, where past research has scarcely before examined crosslinguistic effects between non-native languages.

Language transfer is a major topic in the study of language contact. This book presents a welcome contribution to a fast developing field of research and will certainly advance our knowledge on the nature of crosslinguistic interaction in third language acquisition and multilingualism. In several of the chapters the status of the L2 in third language development is discussed and it becomes clear why research on multilingualism needs to go beyond the study of two languages.

This volume will prove indispensable for anyone interested in multilingual acquisition or in language transfer.

Gessica De Angelis works at the Centre for Language and Communication Studies, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Her research focuses on multilingualism, language education, and second/third language acquisition. Her publications include New Trends in Crosslinguistic Influence and Multilingualism Research (2011, co-edited with J-M. Dewaele) and Third or Additional Language Acquisition (2007).

Jean-Marc Dewaele is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism at Birkbeck, University of London. He has published widely on individual differences in Second Language Acquisition and Multilingualism. He is president of the European Second Language Association (2007-2011), Convenor of the AILA Research Network Multilingualism: Acquisition and Use (2005-2011) and Executive Committee member of the International Association of Multilingualism (2005-2011).