Cross-linguistic influence in third language acquisition: The roles of typology and L2 status

Research has consistently identified two factors which affect how previously learned languages may influence the learning of a third: typological closeness and second language (L2) status. Although typology seems to play a more influential role in the acquisition of lexis in a third language (L3) (e.g., Rossi, 2006), the influence of L2 status has been observed in the acquisition of phonology (e.g., Williams & Hammarberg, 1998). However, these two factors are often confounded with each other, and with other variables such as proficiency. The aim of this study was to control for these variables and investigate the relative influences of L2 status and typology on lexis (lexical inventions) and phonology (aspiration) in L3 production. The research question addressed was: Which is a stronger predictor of the source language for lexical and phonological influence in L3 acquisition: L2 status or typology?Two groups of L3-Spanish learners, 11 with English-L1 and French-L2, and 11 with French-L1 and English-L2 were recorded reading word lists and describing pictures in their L3. Paired samples t-test examined the frequency of French- and English-influenced instances of lexical inventions, as well as the presence or absence of aspiration in the word-initial voiceless stops /p t k/. Findings indicate that French, the typologically closer language to Spanish, had the greatest influence on lexical production, while L2 status had a more marked effect on L3 pronunciation than typology. The results suggest that the two factors investigated may affect different areas of language in different ways.