What is it about?

When learning a new language, we often observe an influence of languages we already know. This influence can appear in the use of words and expressions from another language, as well as in the way we construct sentences. It is therefore well established that the languages in a learner's mind interact with one another. The present study focuses on a reverse direction of influence and asks whether learning a new linguistic system comes at a cost to previously learned languages. Specifically, it investigates whether word order in verb-particle constructions (e.g., to drink up) in a newly learned Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish) affects how such constructions are perceived and processed in previously acquired English.

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Why is it important?

Research involving multilingual learners has mostly focused on cross-linguistic influence in a progressive direction. In this line of work, third language acquisition is typically assumed to draw on first and second language grammars – an assumption that overlooks the possibility that subsequently acquired languages may also affect those already known. To provide a more comprehensive account of multilingual development, however, it is crucial to treat cross-linguistic influence as a multidirectional force – one that operates not only from the first and/or the second language towards the third, but also between all known languages in either direction.

Perspectives

The influence that our languages have on one another is something we observe in our everyday speech and writing, often noticing that one language seems to "improve" or "deteriorate" over time. However, this interaction should not be perceived solely as a gain or a loss, but rather as a natural part of multilingualism. I am glad that we were able to provide empirical evidence for processes what both we and many multilingual speakers experience, but under more controlled conditions.

Anna Olszewska
Adam Mickiewicz University

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This page is a summary of: The acquisition of L3 Scandinavian impacts word order in advanced L2 English, Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism, August 2025, John Benjamins,
DOI: 10.1075/lab.24095.ols.
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