Abstract
This work investigates first language (L1) influence on the second language (L2) acquisition of aspect, comparing participants with homogeneous L1 background (Russian) in Mainland Greece (L2 Standard Modern Greek) and Cyprus (L2 Cypriot Greek), where verb complementation takes a finite form instead of an infinitival as is possible in Russian. Focus of the experimental study lies on embedded environments, which require only perfective aspect in Greek but allow either perfective or imperfective in Russian. The findings support the Full Transfer/Full Access Hypothesis, according to which aspect is part of Universal Grammar and L2 learners can reach native-like attainment due to access to it, while at the initial stage of L2 acquisition transfer from L1 into L2 takes place.
Highlights
According to the Interpretability Hypothesis (Tsimpli 2003), aspect is a grammaticalized, interpretable feature in Greek relevant to the syntax– semantics and the syntax–discourse interfaces
This study investigates L1 influence on L2 acquisition of aspect, comparing participants with homogeneous L1 background (Russian) in Mainland Greece (L2 Standard Modern Greek) and Cyprus (L2 Cypriot Greek)
Perhaps more surprising, the performance of both monolingual and bilingual groups was better for Standard Modern Greek (SMG)-speakers in Greece than the corresponding groups of Cypriot Greek (CG)-speakers in Cyprus
Summary
According to the Interpretability Hypothesis (Tsimpli 2003), aspect is a grammaticalized, interpretable feature in Greek relevant to the syntax– semantics and the syntax–discourse interfaces. This study investigates L1 influence on L2 acquisition of aspect, comparing participants with homogeneous L1 background (Russian) in Mainland Greece (L2 Standard Modern Greek) and Cyprus (L2 Cypriot Greek).
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