Alignment in second language dialogue

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This paper considers the nature of second language dialogues, involving at least one non-native (L2) speaker. We assume that dialogue is characterised by a process in which interlocutors develop similar mental states to each other (Pickering & Garrod, 2004). We first consider various means in which interlocutors align their mental states, and suggest why such alignment may be different in second language dialogues from dialogues involving native (L1) speakers. Specifically, we consider alignment in L2 speakers conversing with L1 speakers, L1 speakers conversing with L2 speakers, and L2 speakers conversing with each other, and sketch a range of experimental predictions.