The adaptation of native language construal patterns in second language acquisition

Authors

• Eve Higby The City university of New York
• Loraine Obler The City university of New York

Keywords:

cross-linguistic influence, syntax, bilingualism, construal, schemas

Abstract

First language attrition occurs when a bilingual’s native language shows evidence of language change due to the predominant use of a second language. Recent research in first language attrition has shown that lexical retrieval and word choice are more vulnerable to reduced native language use than are grammatical constructions. However, some research has shown that grammar can also be affected, especially for constructions which exist in both languages but have different distributions in their usage. Taking concepts from cognitive linguistics, we attempt to describe how this research may provide insight into how language construal from the second language can affect the stability of the construals that make up the native language.