What are two common cross-language influences observed in bilingual development?

What are two common cross-language influences observed in bilingual development?

• A. Only semantic transfer.
• B. Phonological transfer and lexical cross-language activation; sometimes morphological simplification.
• C. No cross-language influence.
• D. Only syntactic interference.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that bilingual development involves interactions between two language systems, so influences cross from one language to the other. Phonological transfer shows up when the sound patterns from one language shape how the other language is pronounced, because the speaker’s articulatory habits span both systems. Lexical cross-language activation means that knowing and processing words in one language can automatically activate related words in the other language, aiding retrieval but sometimes causing interference. Morphological simplification can also appear as learners rely on simpler inflection patterns or drop some morphology when managing two languages. Together, these patterns capture how two languages influence each other in everyday speech and learning, which is why this option best describes common cross-language influences.

The main idea here is that bilingual development involves interactions between two language systems, so influences cross from one language to the other. Phonological transfer shows up when the sound patterns from one language shape how the other language is pronounced, because the speaker’s articulatory habits span both systems. Lexical cross-language activation means that knowing and processing words in one language can automatically activate related words in the other language, aiding retrieval but sometimes causing interference. Morphological simplification can also appear as learners rely on simpler inflection patterns or drop some morphology when managing two languages. Together, these patterns capture how two languages influence each other in everyday speech and learning, which is why this option best describes common cross-language influences.