<p dir="ltr">Bilingualism is defined as the regular use of two or more languages by a single speaker in their everyday lives (Grosjean, 2008). Prior research at the phonetic level has shown that bilinguals often experience a degree of cross-linguistic interference, in which the productions of one language shift in the direction of the opposite language. Evidence for cross-linguistic interference is most notable in contexts where bilinguals activate both of their languages, as in cases of code-switching. Yet prior research has produced somewhat mixed results, with a subset of studies failing to find evidence of cross-linguistic interference. While some authors have suggested that such mixed results may be the result of varying levels of phonetic awareness (i.e., knowledge about the phonetic norms of each language), the potential contribution of this variable has yet to be systematically explored. Utilizing code-switching as a tool, the current study examined the role of phonetic awareness in modulating bilingual cross-linguistic phonetic interaction. A total of 20 L1 Mandarin–L2 English bilinguals were recruited for a lab-based speech production paradigm. English vowel /æ/, which differs acoustically in the vowel height (F1) and vowel backness (F2) from its Mandarin counterpart /e/, was selected as the measure of the phonetic interference. Participants produced stimuli across six contexts: monolingual Mandarin, code-switched Mandarin, pre-switched Mandarin, monolingual English, code-switched English, and pre-switched English. Phonetic awareness was assessed using the Strategies for Pronunciation Improvement (SPI) Inventory (Sardegna et al., 2018). The expected evidence of cross-linguistic interference was not found, and phonetic awareness did not serve to modulate the degree of cross-linguistic interference. The discussion considers whether the lack of convergence in the code-switching context may result from both sociolinguistic and cognitive factors and discusses how this finding can affect the exploration of phonetic awareness in cross-linguistic interference.</p>

The aim of this study is to investigate crosslinguistic influence in the Arabic language of Iraqi Arabic-Swedish bilingual children (5-7) who live in Sweden. The scope is to study lexical, morphological and syntactic uses in the children’s speech that do not belong to the Iraqi Arabic variety (IAV). The used research method was interview method that has been applied in a descriptive framework without any normative evaluations. The interviews were based on a series of narrative pictures that had already been designed for the Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN). The primary material is a corpus which totals 164 recorded minutes that were obtained from twelve Iraqi Arabic-Swedish bilingual children who are 5-7 years old. The secondary material was sociolinguistic background information that was obtained from the children’s parents by using a questionnaire. The results revealed the following main points: (1) Most of the children’s linguistic uses that did not belong to IAV occurred mainly on the lexical level, less on the morphological level and least on the syntactic level. (2) Not all linguistic uses that do not belong to the IAV indicate a crosslinguistic influence in the children’s language development, because some of these uses occur occasionally. (3) Many linguistic uses that do not belong to the IAV were related to Modern standard Arabic (MSA), other Arabic varieties and Swedish, but some of them, e.g. morphological observations, were not related to a specific language. (4) Diglossia and bilingualism have led to different crosslinguistic influences on the children’s speech. Diglossia has led to lexical influence and bilingualism has led to lexical and syntactic influence. (5) The combination of diglossia and bilingualism can increase the crosslinguistic influence on the bilingual children compared to other bilingual children that do not experience this combination of both phenomena. (6) The fact that the children use MSA spontaneously along with their mother tongue shows that they learn MSA before they start school. (7) Use of other Arabic varieties by the children along with their mother tongue can bring these different Arabic varieties closer to the IAV and may also create a mixed variety in the future, if there is continuous and intensive language contact. (8) The results indicate the possible types of language acquisition for all children’s languages/varieties but without normative evaluation as the following: IAV as L1 (first language/mother tongue), Swedish as L1 or ESLA (early second language acquisition), MSA as ESLA or L2, and other Arabic varieties as ESLA or L2.

The dissertation tries to explain why most of the Bapedi people do not feel free to speak their language when they are among other communities. It explains why the speakers of the so-called ‘inferior’ dialects of the Limpopo Province have an inferiority complex while the speakers of the ‘superior’ dialects are confident when speaking their dialects. The standardisation of the Northern Sotho Language Board and the missionary activities within the Bapedi communities led to the creation of 'superior' and ‘inferior’ dialects. A detailed discussion is presented of the social rural and urban varieties, which found in Bapedi culture. Some of these varieties are kept secret and therefore are unknown to the public; and others, which are not secretive in nature. The use of language and the impact of language contact between languages is discussed. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

Silozi is one of the local languages of Namibia with over 200 thousand mother-tongue speakers. The aim of this study is to examine the language situation in the Malozi Community of Caprivi and to identify the factors influencing the maintenance of Silozi in Namibia. The following factors were identified as relevant to the maintenance of Silozi: education, media, religion, contact situations, cultural activities and language loyalty. Despite the strong influence of English in education and increased use of English bythe younger generation, the findings indicate that Silozi is likely to survive for several generations into the future. The study reveals that a high percentage of both young and old use more Silozi in the domain of home, neighbourhood and church than English. It is evident that Silozi will continue to be used as a functional language in Caprivi for many years to come. / Linguistics / (M.A. (Sociolinguistics))

Over 20,000 Swedish lower high school students are currently learning mathematics in English but little research has been conducted in this area. This study looks into the question of how much second language learner training teachers teaching mathematics in English to Swedish speaking students have acquired and how many of those teachers are using effective teaching practices for second language learners. The study confirms earlier findings that report few teachers receive training in second language learning but indicates that some of the teaching practices shown to be effective with second language learners are being used in some Swedish schools / Mer än 20 000 högstadiet elever i Sverige har valt att lära sig matematik på engelska, men det finns väldigt lite forskning inom området. Detta arbete granskar hur mycket utbildning i andraspråksinlärning har lärare som undervisar matematik på engelska till svensktalande elever och hur många av de undervisnings-strategier som tidigare forskning har visat att vara effektiva används numera under matematiklektionerna på engelska? Arbetet bekräftar tidigare forskning, som visar att få lärare som undervisar matematik på engelska till svensktalande elever har fått utbildning i andraspråksinlärning, men den här forskningen visar att några av de effektiva strategierna numera används under matematiklektioner i vissa skolor. / <p>Matematik</p>

The dissertation tries to explain why most of the Bapedi people do not feel free to speak their language when they are among other communities. It explains why the speakers of the so-called ‘inferior’ dialects of the Limpopo Province have an inferiority complex while the speakers of the ‘superior’ dialects are confident when speaking their dialects. The standardisation of the Northern Sotho Language Board and the missionary activities within the Bapedi communities led to the creation of 'superior' and ‘inferior’ dialects. A detailed discussion is presented of the social rural and urban varieties, which found in Bapedi culture. Some of these varieties are kept secret and therefore are unknown to the public; and others, which are not secretive in nature. The use of language and the impact of language contact between languages is discussed. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

La présente investigation consiste à réinterroger le phénomène de contact des langues dans une perspective d’appropriation de la L2 en contexte didactique algérien. À travers la mise en place de pratiques langagières et interactives d’enseignants de français alternant L2 et L1, cette recherche se veut d’examiner les ressources linguistiques mobilisées et leurs portées sur la communication et la dynamique des pratiques langagières, de cadres d’analyses de situations d’enseignement/apprentissage du FLE. Inscrite au croisement des sciences du langage, de la didactique du FLE, du plurilinguisme et de la linguistique de l’acquisition, notre réflexion vise également à identifier les possibilités de recours à la L1 ainsi que les obstacles empêchant l’apprentissage de la L2. Enfin, il sera question de voir dans quelle mesure et de quelle façon l’arabe (dialectal et/ou classique) et le français interviennent dans les interactions en situation didactique. Par ailleurs, nous faisions l’hypothèse que les enseignants de FLE ignorent tout des théories sous-tendant l’usage de l’alternance codique proprement dit. De plus, les modèles de formation actuels ne permettent pas de réfléchir sur sa propre activité d’enseignement particulièrement lorsqu’il s’agit de l’acquisition par le recours à une autre langue pour l’appropriation d’une langue étrangère. Un intérêt particulier est, cependant, accordé au choix dédié à la langue arabe (classique et/ou dialectale) en classe de français, principe mettant en valeur l’aspect linguistique dans la construction de la compétence plurilingue. Ainsi, notre démarche globale présente le contact des langues comme un fait facilitant l’appropriation de savoirs en L2. Méthodologiquement, canalisant notre réflexion sur cette question et afin de vérifier empiriquement nos hypothèses de recherche, nous avons entrepris une étude qui a rendu possible le recueil de données à partir de questionnaires, d’entretiens exploratoires et d’observations de classes. Les besoins interrogés s’articulent autour des représentations sur les langues en présence en Algérie, des pratiques de celles-ci et de l’alternance codique en classe de L2. Et comme il nous semble difficile de penser le sujet indépendamment de sa langue maternelle, nous avons pu relever qu’en dépit de certaines résistances des enseignants, la langue arabe dialectale s’invite de facto en classe de français. L’apprentissage de la L2 s’avère davantage facilité lorsque le contexte d’enseignement est favorable à l’alternance des codes L1/L2 / This investigation is to re-examine the phenomenon of languages contact in an L2 appropriation perspective in the Algerian context. Through the implementation of linguistic and interactive practices of teachers of French alternating L2 and L1, this research aims to examine the linguistic resources mobilized and their impact on communication and the dynamics of language practices, frameworks for analysis situations of teaching/learning of French as a foreign language (FLE). Joined at the intersection of linguistics, didactics of French as a foreign language, multilingualism and language acquisition, our reflection also aims to identify opportunities for the use of L1 as well as barriers to learning L2. Finally, it will issue to what extent and how Arabic (dialectal and/or classical) and French are involved in interactions in teaching situation. Furthermore, we made the assumption that teachers of French as a foreign language are unaware of theories underlying the use of code-switching itself. Likewise, the current training models do not allow us to reflect on our own teaching activity especially when it comes to the acquisition by the use of another language for the learning or even the appropriation of a foreign language. Particular interest is, however, given to the choice dedicated to Arabic (classical and /or dialectal) in French class, a principal highlighting the linguistic aspect in the construction of multilingual competence. Thus, our global approach presents the language contact as a fact facilitating the appropriation of knowledge in L2. Methodologically, channelling our thinking on this issue and to test empirically our research assumptions, we undertook a study which made possible the collection of data from questionnaires, exploratory interviews and observations of classroom. The needs dealt with centre around representations of the languages ​​involved in Algeria, their practices and code-switching in L2 classroom. And as it seems difficult to think about this subject regardless of our mother tongue, we have noted that, despite some resistance from teachers, dialectal Arabic is de facto present in French class. The L2 learning is further facilitated when the context of teaching is favourable to alternating L1/L2 codes

Arabic as a minority language in Israel The objective of this diploma thesis is the analysis of the status of arabic as a minority language within the specific circumstances of the arabic-hebrew contact in Israel. In this context the language carries symbolic values that participate in forming identity of the native Arabic speakers. Their language is constantely exposed to the influence of hebrew and this study investigates this influence practically. The theoretical part provides the sociolinguistic foundation of the research and characterise the locus of the study. The core of the practical part is the analysis of tha data obtained during the field research in the Israeli city of Tira.

När en infödd talare av spanska med hög behärskningsnivå i svenska samtalar med en annan individ med liknande språkbakgrund är det inte sällan fraser som ”¿me pasarías la blåbärssylt?” (”kan du skicka blåbärssylten, tack?”) uppstår. Lexikaliskt inskott (eng. noun insertion), d.v.s. att skjuta in substantiv från andraspråket i för övrigt förstaspråksdominerat tal, är ett vanligt förekommande fenomen hos tvåspråkiga. Men vad händer när de två samspelande språken har asymmetriska genussystem som spanskans och svenskans? Vilket spanskt grammatiskt genus ska man då tillskriva de inskjutna svenska enheterna som ”blåbärssylt” i rubriken? Och vad är det som styr dessa val? Två hypoteser ställs upp för att försöka få svar på dessa frågor: genusvalet styrs i större utsträckning av det inskjutna substantivets ändelsemorfem, eller så styrs det i större utsträckning av dess översättningsmotsvarighet. För att testa dessa två hypoteser genomfördes ett experiment med 30 infödda spansktalare med svenska som andraspråk där de ombads attribuera ett spanskt grammatiskt genus, maskulinum eller femininum, till en del svenska substantiv i två olika uppgifter, en lucktext och en ordlista. Resultaten visade att både de olika stimuliordens ändelsemorfem och översättningsmotsvarighet spelade en signifikativ roll för val av grammatiskt genus, och att översättningsmotsvarighet hade en relativt större påverkan på genusvalet jämfört med ändelsemorfem. Detta kan eventuellt peka på att genus hos infödda spansktalare upplevs som en inherent egenskap hos själva referenten, med påtagliga konsekvenser för hur de ser på och tänker kring omvärlden.

Bilingual children sometimes respond to their interlocutors using a different language than the one in which they were addressed. These language choices, their concurrent correlates, and relations to subsequent language growth were examined in 91 Spanish-English bilingual children (44 girls, 47 boys). Children's language choices were assessed at 30 months, and their English and Spanish productive vocabularies and receptive language skills were examined at the ages of 30, 36, and 42 months. Children's language choices were concurrently related to English and Spanish productive and receptive language scores and to mothers' English and Spanish proficiency levels. Longitudinal multi-level modeling analyses indicated that children's language choices at 30 months were uniquely related to language growth on measures of English and Spanish productive vocabulary and Spanish receptive language, when controlling for language expo sure. These findings suggest that language use plays a causal role in language development. The findings of this study have implications for the maintenance of heritage languages in the U.S. and for the development of children's English language skills. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection