Comprehension and production of non-canonical word orders in Mandarin-speaking child heritage speakers

Abstract Across languages, structures with non-canonical word order have been shown to be problematic for both child and adult heritage speakers. To investigate the linguistic child-level factors that modulate speakers’ difficulties orders, we examined comprehension production of three Mandarin in 5- 9-year-old Mandarin-English children compared them age-matched Mandarin-speaking monolingual adults. Specifically, how properties, such as linear order, presence or absence morphosyntactic cues, surface structural overlap between well factors, chronological age current home language use affect acquisition their peers. Results showed although could they did not show monolingual-level sensitivity passive-related morphology. Additionally, produced more canonical SVO which is shared English Mandarin, preferred reverse interpretations comprehension. These responses were taken evidence cross-linguistic influence from majority minority language. Finally, caused speakers, performance was modulated by structure improved age, over above use.