Regressive cross-linguistic influence in multilingual speech rhythm

Abstract

While previous work on has found evidence of progressive of a first or second language (L1, L2) on a third language (L3), regressive cross-linguistic influence (rCLI) in rhythm remains understudied. In the current study, we tested the roles of and of language similarity in shaping rCLI from as L3 to and as L1/L2. In a picture narration task, adult sequential (L1 English-L2 German-L3 Spanish, L1 German-L2 English-L3 Spanish) and sequential bilingual controls (L1 English-L2 German, L1 German-L2 English) produced semi-spontaneous in each of their languages, which was analyzed in terms of the rhythm metric . Results showed evidence of rCLI in English (the typologically more similar language to Spanish) but no evidence of rCLI in German; however, rCLI in English was found only when English was the L1. On the basis of these findings, we propose the (SCH), which claims that previously acquired languages that are more similar to a later-acquired language are relatively more vulnerable to from this language.