Bidirectional CLI due to L3 acquisition in two sociolinguistic contexts

This project examines bidirectional cross-linguistic influence due to acquisition of two different L3s, German and Norwegian, by Hindi-English Indian immigrants living in the two respective sociolinguistic contexts, Germany and Norway. Two types of variables are studied, Phonetic (VOT and VDC in voiced and voiceless stops) and Grammatical (Aspect). In addition to studying the role of factors like age of acquisition, length of residence, language proficiency and use, the project also examines the role of factors such as language learning motivation, identity, perceived discrimination, perception of the host society on CLI. The data is collected using three tasks: a questionnaire to collect data on the various factors, an eye tracking task to collect data on aspect, and a speech production task to collect speech samples. In general, the results will help to better understand the nature of bidirectional CLI to L3 and from L3: Is there evidence for it, and with similar patterning across the two L3 groups? Is it system-wide or segment-specific (informed by phonetics results)? Is it present across domains or is it domain-specific (informed by CLI in phonetics vs grammar)? What kind of factors, both psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic, affect CLI?

The project is funded under the Center for Language, Brain & Learning (C-LaBL) by the Trond Mohn Foundation (Grant number TMS2023UiT01).