Third Language Acquisition and Linguistic Transfer: (Series Number 163 Cambridge Studies in Linguistics)

Is acquiring a third language the same as acquiring a second? Are all instances of non-native language acquisition simply one and the same? In this first book-length study of the topic, the authors systematically walk the reader through the evidence to answer these questions. They suggest that acquiring an additional language in bilinguals (of all types) is unique, and reveals things about the links between language and mind, brain, and cognition, which are otherwise impossible to appreciate. The patterns of linguistic transfer and what motivates it when there are choices (as can only be seen starting in third language acquisition) underscores a key concept in linguistic and psychological sciences: economy. Overviewing the subfields examining multilingual acquisition and processing, this book offers an expanded systematic review of the field of multilingual morphosyntactic transfer, as well as providing recommendations for the future emerging field.

Table of Contents:
1. Setting the context; 2. Theoretical approaches to sequential multilingualism; 3. Multilingual lexis (acquisition and processing) and phonology; 4. Transfer in multilingual morphosyntax; 5. A review of published work; 6. Moving on and going forward in L3/Ln acquisition.

About the Author :
Jason Rothman is Professor of Linguistics at Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet and Universidad Nebrija in Madrid, Spain. Jorge González Alonso is a postdoctoral researcher in linguistics at Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet. Eloi Puig-Mayenco recently completed his Ph.D. in Psycholinguistics at the University of Reading.

Review :
'This timely volume problematizes the notion of morphosyntactic transfer at the initial stages of third language acquisition, a phenomenon which has undoubtedly driven the surge in third language research that we have witnessed over the last fifteen years. Through their in-depth treatment of existing proposals of initial transfer and critical synthesis of the data available to date, the authors inject insight into theory building that both provides future directions for this young field and transcends third language acquisition. As a result, this volume will no doubt serve as a seminal resource in the fields of multilingualism and language acquisition and processing in general.' Jennifer Cabrelli Amaro, University of Illinois, Chicago 'When researchers began studying bilingual language acquisition, the result was not only a detailed understanding of the processes involved in gaining proficiency in a second language but equally came insights into first language acquisition and the human mind, insights that would have gone unnoticed had only a single language been the focus. This book moves us into the next step - using the acquisition of multiple languages to deepen our understanding of bilingualism and reveal the complexity and wonder of language and mind in the broadest sense.' Ellen Bialystok, York University, Toronto 'This timely volume problematizes the notion of morphosyntactic transfer at the initial stages of third language acquisition, a phenomenon which has undoubtedly driven the surge in third language research that we have witnessed over the last fifteen years. Through their in-depth treatment of existing proposals of initial transfer and critical synthesis of the data available to date, the authors inject insight into theory building that both provides future directions for this young field and transcends third language acquisition. As a result, this volume will no doubt serve as a seminal resource in the fields of multilingualism and language acquisition and processing in general.' Jennifer Cabrelli Amaro, University of Illinois, Chicago 'This stimulating study makes good on the promise that inquiry into multilingualism (three or more languages) is 'one of the best ways to reveal some processes of the mind, particularly how language is mentally represented'. It incorporates illuminating technical detail on linguistic transfer in acquisition and processing within an easily accessible framework, enlivened as well by useful insights into how scientific research should proceed.' Noam Chomsky, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Arizona 'This book is a must for scholars and students interested in language learning, bilingualism and multilingualism. It provides a full and articulated review of contemporary accounts and findings in the field of second and third language grammar learning. It particularly addresses the question of what is initially transferred to a third language from the morphosyntax of  first and/or second languages. Transfer is a central and very debated concept in current linguistic research and this volume consitutes an unavoidable reference to gain an open perspective on various approeaches to the notion of transfer and what constitutes solid evidence for it.' Itziar Laka, University of the Basque Country 'This book will be of enormous interest to anyone interested in how languages come to be represented in the human mind and absolutely indispensable for anyone concerned with nonnative language acquisition. The authors engagingly guide the reader on a journey through the most influential models of the acquisition of (second and) third languages (and beyond) and offer insightful background and commentary on the thinking underlying this vital branch of linguistics and psychology. Because this book is both profoundly scholarly and a joy to read and contemplate, it is destined to inspired much productive further research.' Rex Sprouse, Indiana University