When Bilingualism is the Common Factor: Switch Reference at the Junction of Competence and Performance in Both Second Language and Heritage Language Performance

Abstract

In this paper we take a closer look at the oft-touted divide between heritage language speakers and adult second language (L2) learners. Here, we explore whether some properties of language may display general effects across different populations of bilinguals, explaining, at least partially, why these two groups show some common differences when compared with monolinguals. To test this hypothesis, we adduce data from two unique populations of bilinguals: a moribund variety of heritage German spoken in southwestern Kansas (Moundridge Schweitzer German) and L2 adult learners of Spanish. Empirically, we investigate whether the confound of switch reference adds an additional cognitive burden to these bilinguals in licensing object control predicates in the former and referential subject pronouns in the latter. Our preliminary findings support the view that overarching concepts such as incomplete acquisition cannot capture the variability observed in these populations, thus further supporting approaches that interpret findings such as these to be the result of specific variables.

The Role of Foreign Language Communicative Competence in the Formation of Professionally-Oriented Communication of Intending Bachelors of Law: Modern Challenges

“…Skills of interpersonal competence as the foundation for productive foreign language studies are researched by Hyun-Sook Kang, Mark Barba Pacheco (Kang et al, 2020); their grammar level is described by Matthew Kanwit, Kimberly L. Geeslin (Kanwit et al, 2020). Specific features of communication in multi-lingual environment and code switching were the object of study by Tiffany Judy, Michael T. Putnam, Jason Rothman (Judy et al, 2018), also Li Zhou, Yiheng Xi, and Katja Lochtman (Li Zhou et al, 2020). At the same time, we need to state that the specificity of the influence of this foreign language competence on the formation of professionally-oriented training of professionals, more specifically, bachelors of law.…”