Join us for our LuCiD seminar, featuring an in-person talk on Tuesday, 10th December 2024 (11 am UK time - in-person & via Zoom). Dr Ludovica Serratrice (University of Reading) will talk about "Insights into Shared Syntax in Bilingual Children from Structural Priming"
Abstract: How is the knowledge of two languages organized in the cognitive system of bilingual children? Most of the evidence on the representation of syntactic knowledge in bilinguals to date comes from adult speakers. In this group of relatively competent bilinguals, a substantial number of studies have provided evidence for shared syntax on the basis of crosslinguistic structural priming (e.g. Hartsuiker et al., 2004). Only a handful of studies have adopted structural priming with bilingual children so far with some limitations. While there is some emerging evidence for a shared syntax model, the picture is somewhat inconsistent (e.g. Wesierska et al., 2024). In this talk I will present evidence on the nature of syntactic representations in heritage speakers of Polish in the UK. The focus will be on three different constructions (attributive constructions, possessive constructions, passives constructions), and three age groups primary-school children, teens, adults). The interim conclusions are that some constructions are likely shared, and others merely connected; language proficiency plays a role but not across the board; compartmentalization of single-language representations is the likely outcome for some bilinguals; and structural priming can go beyond syntax to affect thematic role ordering.
How to join the seminar: This seminar will take place in person at the University of Manchester, but we will provide a blended approach for anyone who is unable to attend in person. As always the seminar is free to attend & booking isn't required, just get in touch to request the zoom link and don't forget to join the seminar mailing list
Where to find us on the day: The seminar will be held at the University of Manchester, Samual Alexander Building A112. The building is marked as number 67 on the campus map.