Quantifying cross-linguistic influence with a computational model: A study of case-marking comprehension
Matusevych,Yevgen Alishahi,Afra Backus,Albert
Matusevych,Yevgen
Alishahi,Afra
Backus,Albert
Abstract
Cross-linguistic influence (CLI) is one of the key phenomena in bilingual and second language learning. We propose a method for quantifying CLI in the use of linguistic constructions with the help of a computational model, which acquires constructions in two languages from bilingual input. We focus on the acquisition of case-marking cues in Russian and German and simulate two experiments that employ a picture-choice task tapping into the mechanisms of sentence interpretation. Our model yields behavioral patterns similar to human, and these patterns can be explained by the amount of CLI: the negative CLI in high amounts leads to the misinterpretation of participant roles in Russian and German object-verb-subject sentences. Finally, we make two novel predictions about the acquisition of case-marking cues in Russian and German. Most importantly, our simulations suggest that the high degree of positive CLI may facilitate the interpretation of object-verb-subject sentences.
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Date
2017-05-23
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Keywords
cross-linguistic influence, computational model, case marking
Citation
Matusevych, Y, Alishahi, A & Backus, A 2017, 'Quantifying cross-linguistic influence with a computational model : A study of case-marking comprehension', Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism. https://doi.org/10.1075/lab.16038.mat