Third or Additional Language Acquisition

By (author) Dr. Gessica De Angelis

Publication date:

09 August 2007

Publisher

Multilingual Matters

Dimensions:

210x148mm
6x8"

ISBN-13: 9781847690043

Third or Additional Language Acquisition examines research on the acquisition of languages beyond the L2 withing four main areas of inquiry: crosslinguistic influence, multilingual speech production models, the multilingual lexicon and the impact of bi/multilingualism on cognitive development. The book critically examines the evidence available keeping two main questions in mind. The first is whether multilinguals should be considered as learners and speakers in their own right and, consequently, whether the distinction between Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism, and Third or Additional Language Acquisition and Multilingualism is fully warranted. The second is how proficient in a non-native language learners are supposed to be before they can begin to be classified as multilingual learners in empirical research

1. The Multilingual Learner and Speaker
2. Factors Affecting Non-native Language Influence
3. What can be Transferred from One or More Non-native Language to Another
4. Multilingual Speech Production
5. The Multilingual Lexicon
6. Prior Language Knowledge, Cognitive Development and the Language Acquisition Process
7. Conclusion
References
Index

Despite its title, this volume should be of particular interest not only to those researching multilingualism, but also to all those working on second language acquisition and bilingualism, as De Angelis provides abundant evidence illustrating the existing differences between L2 and multilingual acquisition. Her re-examination of previous research studies provides a great deal of food for thought and also shows that much road has yet to be paved. Thus, not only researchers but also students will find the author’s statements challenging and capable of stimulating debate, which makes its reading a must for all those interested in language acquisition.