Call for papers
In research on language learning and multilingualism, the terms crosslinguistic influence or transfer are used to describe the often unconscious, but potentially conscious cognitive process of applying (elements of) the knowledge of previously learned languages in using a later acquired language.
Every language learning process after the acquisition of the first language builds on prior linguistic knowledge and competence. Crosslinguistic influence is currently investigated as an important psycholinguistic phenomenon in second and third language acquisition which is itself influenced and shaped by language-specific, contextual, and other factors.
Older studies tended to view transfer as a negative influence in the process of language learning, often investigating it rather as an independent variable that has an impact on other processes than as the phenomen under investigation. More recent studies investigate crosslinguistic influence as the primary process and dependent variable, as well as its interaction with other linguistic and extra-linguistic independent factors (cf. Jarvis & Pavlenko 2008: 5).
This workshop is intended to bring together specialists working on crosslinguistic influence in language learning in order to discuss new perspectives and current issues in this area of research, such as the following (cf. Jarvis & Pavlenko 2008:5):
- studies dealing with the causes, constraints, the selectivity, and directionality of crosslinguistic influence
- investigations on the scope and on different types of crosslinguistic influence (transfer of linguistic structures, socio-culturally shaped patterns of language usage, learning strategies, and others)
- investigations on the implications of the insights into crosslinguistic influence for the teaching and learning of L1, L2, L3 etc. and for multiple language learning in general
- studies dealing with the connection between crosslinguistic influence and linguistic awareness, especially with reference to third language acquisition
- theoretical models that account for different causes, occurrences and manifestations of crosslinguistic influence; theories that explain the influence of cognitive, linguistic and extralinguistic factors in crosslinguistic influence
- studies focusing on the development and the testing of hypotheses concerning crosslinguistic influence on the basis of theoretical models
Contributions in the form of papers or posters to topics like those above, or to other interesting problems relating to the phenomenon of crosslinguistic influence in language learning, are welcomed. There are no restrictions with respect to theoretical approaches and language combinations in terms of L1, L2, L3, etc. The language of the workshop will be English.
Keynote speakers:
Ulrike Jessner-Schmid (Innsbruck), Gessica De Angelis (Bozen-Bolzano)
References:
Arabski, J. (ed.) (2006). Cross-linguistic Influences in the Second Language Lexicon. Clevedon, England: Multilingual Matters.
Aronin, L. & B. Hufeisen (eds.) (2009). The Exploration of Multilingualism: Development of Research on L3, Multilingualism and Multiple Language Acquisition. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Auer, P. & L. Wei (2009). Handbook of Multilingualism and Multilingual Communication. New York: Mouton de Gruyter.
Cenoz, J., Hufeisen, B. & U. Jessner (eds.) (2001). Crosslinguistic Influence in Third Language Acquisition. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
De Angelis, G. (2007). Third or Additional Language Acquisition. Clevedon, England: Multilingual Matters.
De Angelis, G. & J.-M. Dewaele (2011). New Trends in Crosslinguistic Influence and Multilingualism Research. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Gabryś-Barker, D./De Angelis, G. & A. Otwinowska Kasztelanic (eds.) (forthcoming): Crosslinguistic influences in multilingual language acquisition. Heidelberg: Springer.
Hufeisen, B. & U. Jessner (2009). Learning and teaching multiple languages. In: Knapp, Karlfried/Seidlhofer, Barbara (eds.) (2009), Handbook of Foreign Language Communication and Learning (Handbooks of Applied Linguistics vol. 6). Berlin, Mouton de Gruyter, 109-137.
Jarvis, S. & E. Pavlenko (2008). Crosslinguistic influence in language and cognition. New York/London: Routledge.
Jessner, U. (2006). Linguistic Awareness in Multilinguals: English as a Third Language. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Odlin, T. (2003). Cross-linguistic influence. In C. Doughty and M. Long (eds.) Handbook of Second Language Acquisition (pp. 436-486). Oxford: Blackwell, 436-486.
Odlin, T. (1989). Language transfer. Cross-linguistic influence in language learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ringbom, H. (2007). Cross-linguistic similarity in foreign language learning. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Wei, L. & M. G. Moyer (2010). The Blackwell Guide to Research Methods in Bilingualism and Multilingualism. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell Publishing.