The impact of first and second language exposure on learning second language constructions

Yevgen Matusevych, Afra Alishahi, Albert Backus

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

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Abstract

We study how the learning of argument structure constructions in a second language (L2) is affected by two basic input properties often discussed in literature – the amount of input and the time of L2 onset. To isolate the impact of the two factors on learning, we use a computational model that simulates bilingual construction learning. In the first two experiments we manipulate the sheer amount of L2 exposure, both in absolute and in relative terms (that is, in relation to the amount of L1 exposure). The results show that higher cumulative amount of L2 exposure leads to higher performance. In the third experiment we manipulate the prior amount of L1 input before the L2 onset (that is, the time of L2 onset). Given equal exposure, we find no negative effect of the later onset on learners’ performance. This has implications for theories of order of acquisition and bilingual construction learning.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)128-149
JournalBilingualism: Language and Cognition
Volume20
Issue number1
Early online date15 Sep 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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language
learning
experiment
performance
Onset
Second Language Learning
Language
time
Experiment
literature
Computational Model
Argument Structure
Order of Acquisition

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Matusevych, Yevgen ; Alishahi, Afra ; Backus, Albert. / The impact of first and second language exposure on learning second language constructions. In: Bilingualism: Language and Cognition. 2017 ; Vol. 20, No. 1. pp. 128-149.
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Matusevych, Y, Alishahi, A & Backus, A 2017, 'The impact of first and second language exposure on learning second language constructions', Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 128-149. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728915000607

The impact of first and second language exposure on learning second language constructions. / Matusevych, Yevgen; Alishahi, Afra; Backus, Albert.

In: Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2017, p. 128-149.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - The impact of first and second language exposure on learning second language constructions

AU - Matusevych, Yevgen

AU - Alishahi, Afra

AU - Backus, Albert

PY - 2017

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AB - We study how the learning of argument structure constructions in a second language (L2) is affected by two basic input properties often discussed in literature – the amount of input and the time of L2 onset. To isolate the impact of the two factors on learning, we use a computational model that simulates bilingual construction learning. In the first two experiments we manipulate the sheer amount of L2 exposure, both in absolute and in relative terms (that is, in relation to the amount of L1 exposure). The results show that higher cumulative amount of L2 exposure leads to higher performance. In the third experiment we manipulate the prior amount of L1 input before the L2 onset (that is, the time of L2 onset). Given equal exposure, we find no negative effect of the later onset on learners’ performance. This has implications for theories of order of acquisition and bilingual construction learning.

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Matusevych Y, Alishahi A, Backus A. The impact of first and second language exposure on learning second language constructions. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition. 2017;20(1):128-149. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728915000607

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