The Role of Task Complexity and Dominant Articulatory Routines in the Acquisition of L3 Spanish

Many studies in L3 phonetics and phonology have found that language dominance plays an influential role determining the source of transfer. However, any effect is likely dependent on many factors, including task complexity. As complexity increases, learners should be increasingly to rely more automatic articulatory routines from their dominant language. We tested this hypothesis by examining production patterns L1 Mandarin–L2 English–L3 Spanish speakers acquiring tap trill, performing a less complex word-reading sentence reading task. The results former were reported previous study, revealing transferred L2 English [ɹ] [ɾ] some extent when rhotics. hypothesized such transfer would prevalent same revealed support for hypothesis. Transfer decreased task, as did (in trill productions). substitutes not vary with highlight languages partially Future work establish what influences