Abstract
Paradis (2001) posed the Interactional Dual Systems Model of language representation in which bilingual children possess two separate phonological systems that have mutual influence. Frequency of phonological cross-linguistic effects has been cited as evidence for determining phonological representation. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency and types of phonological cross-linguistic effects that occur over time in bilingual children. Three female typically developing, bilingual Spanish – English speaking children, ages 5;0, 6;2, and 7;0 participated in the study. Single word, conversation, and narrative samples were examined for each child to determine the phonological makeup of each participant's speech. Two analyses were performed: (1) analysis of phonemic cross-linguistic effects and (2) analysis of syllabic cross-linguistic effects. There were eight occurrences of cross-linguistic effects across the three children. Overall, the frequency of cross-linguistic effects was low, supporting the Interactional Dual Systems Model in which a child's two phonological systems are separate, but non-autonomous.