The Role of Linguistic Typology, Target Language Proficiency and Prototypes in Learning Aspectual Contrasts in Italian as Additional Language

The study examines how prototypes and typological relationships between the L1, L2 target language (TL) interact with TL proficiency in learning Italian as additional language. Low-proficiency high-proficiency undergraduate learners of (N = 25) Swedish L1 performed an oral retelling story test, aiming to elicit aspectual contrast perfective-imperfective. Their tense selection was analyzed considering predicates’ lexical aspect learners’ knowledge a Romance L2, or lack thereof. findings show that proximity exerts differential role depending on proficiency. Initially, it is beneficial for accelerating overall emergence imperfetto marker. However, prototype factor and, more specifically, dynamicity influences past inflectional morphology. At advanced stages, helps move beyond prototypical associations passato prossimo, but does not seem influence use among learners. These results are discussed light research second contrasts languages.