Remarks on research of anaphora resolution in situations of language contact: Cross-linguistic influence and the PAS

Abstract

Purpose:

This article proposes a new definition of cross-linguistic influence on anaphora resolution in situations of language contact appealing to the Position of Antecedent Strategy.

Design:

To this effect it examines existing evidence for and definitions of cross-linguistic influence across Spanish, Italian, Greek, and English, four languages research has concentrated on most intensively.

Data and analysis:

Methodological and theoretical issues are brought to the fore and the evidence of cross-linguistic influence re-evaluated in light of recent investigations of L1 processing of Spanish, Italian, and Greek anaphora.

Findings/conclusions:

The re-evaluation points to the conclusion that null pronouns are interpreted and processed in similar ways by native speakers, L2 speakers, and L1 attriters, even if speakers have contact with or are very proficient in languages such as English or Swedish where null anaphora is unavailable. Overt pronouns in Italian are more similar to Greek than Spanish and cross-linguistic influence affects only overt anaphora.

Originality:

If cross-linguistic influence is conceived in terms of the Position of Antecedent Strategy, then apparently contradictory cases such as the over-production of overt forms by Spanish speakers of Italian and the balanced co-reference of Spanish overt forms to topic and non-topic antecedents can be accounted for.

Significance/implications:

Cross-linguistic influence takes place from the language with less towards the language with more categorical biases. Recommendations for future research with the populations studied, data analysis and collection, and linguistic structures examined are made.