Cross-Linguistic Influences and Language Universals in the Acquisition of L3 German Speech Rhythm by L1 Cantonese–L2 English Bilinguals
Yanjiao Zhu, Aoju Chen, Stefan Sudhoff, Peggy MokAims and Objectives:
This study investigates the impact of cross-linguistic influence (CLI) and language universals on the acquisition of L3 German speech rhythm by Cantonese-English-German (CEG) trilinguals.
Methodology:
The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining acoustic analysis with subjective foreign accent ratings. Thirteen CEG trilinguals read passages in L1 Cantonese, L2 English, and L3 German, while 26 native speakers of English and German read the corresponding passages in their native languages. Acoustic measurements of rhythm features and native speaker ratings of foreign accents were used to analyze speech rhythm.
Data and Analysis:
The data were analyzed using mixed-effects models to compare rhythm features across participant groups and languages to discover CLI between L1, L2, and L3. The average accent scores of each individual trilingual speaker were calculated, and a Pearson correlation was conducted to analyze the relationship between L2 and L3.
Findings:
Results showed that both L1 Cantonese and L2 English influenced L3 German rhythm, with selective transfer observed. L3 rhythm aligned more with L1 in some aspects (e.g., %V, reflecting the proportion of vocalic intervals, and VarcoV, reflecting the overall durational variability of vocalic intervals) and with L2 in others (e.g., nPVI-V, reflecting the durational variability between successive vocalic intervals). Furthermore, a positive correlation between L2 and L3 accent ratings potentially implied an L2 CLI. Universal developmental patterns, such as a slower speech rate and more frequent pausing, emerged in L3 speech.
Originality:
This study provides new insights into L3 acquisition, examining L3 suprasegmental phonology. Integrating objective acoustic analysis with subjective accent ratings contributes to a deeper understanding of multilingual speech rhythm acquisition.
Significance/Implications:
The findings emphasize the role of both CLI and language universals in L3 rhythm acquisition, offering implications for theoretical models of L3 phonological development.