CLI, proficiency and L1-like choices: L3 Norwegian learners in later stages of acquisition

Abstract

The roles of structural and lexical similarity in cross-linguistic influence in the L3 at higher proficiency levels are under researched. This study investigates the L3 Norwegian of such speakers. In alignment with the Linguistic Proximity Model (Westergaard et al., 2017), we assume that L3 structures are initially weak representations, becoming increasingly target-like with further input and use. We investigate what target this represents – the prescriptive rules of the language or movement towards L1-like use from community interaction and input. The properties investigated are the indefinite article and third person and reflexive possessives, by L1 Polish–L2 English and L1 English speakers. These categories provide fertile ground for investigation due to the (dis)similarities with the target language. The methodology consisted of an Acceptability Judgement Task. Results indicated possible structural-similarity based CLI and adherence to grammatical rules in intermediate-to-advanced proficiency L3ers – though this does not necessarily equal L1-like choices.