Phonetic-phonological development of early second language French Support for a child second language (cL2) mode of acquisition in phonology

Abstract

This multiple case study focuses on phonetic-phonological development of L2 French in early Swedish-speaking learners. More specifically it describes the development of Voice Onset Time (VOT) and liaison in early L2 learners as compared to simultaneous Swedish-French bilinguals and monolingual French children. The results indicate that although the L2 learners present initial similarities with adult L2 learners, more advanced productions resemble those of simultaneous bilinguals. The data from this multiple case study thus appear to support the idea of a cL2 mode of acquisition also in the domain of phonology.