https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7885-9670
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ABSTRACT
The linguistic interdependence hypothesis posits the existence of language features common to different languages. This set of characteristics, known as Common Underlying Proficiency (CUP), is a powerful facilitating agent in second language acquisition. Fluid intelligence (Gf), on the other hand, is the construct that encompasses those cognitive resources devoted to general learning, and its involvement in second language acquisition is unproven. The aim of this study is to determine the direct and interactive effect of L1 knowledge and Gf on second language acquisition in language immersion learners across different linguistic domains. The study analyzed the proficiency of 131 Romanian students in Spanish and Catalan, the official languages of Catalonia. Mixed-effects regression models were used to analyze lexical, morphosyntactic, and orthographic aspects. The results were obtained using mixed-effects regression models, revealing a particularly noticeable interdependence effect in lexical, morphosyntactic, and orthographic aspects, with differences between Catalan and Spanish. Furthermore, Gf had an impact on the morphosyntactic component with similar intensity for both languages but did not moderate the interdependence effect. The study discusses the possible causes of these effects, as well as their psycho-pedagogical consequences.
Supplementary material
The parallel test for the measurement of language skills in Romanian can be found at the following link: http://www.grelie.udl.cat/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Prueba-de-competencias-en-lengua-rumana_Optimizer.pdf
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Notes on contributors
Fernando Senar
Fernando Senar is a predoctoral researcher at the University of Lleida. He graduated in psychology from the Universitat Jaume I and he completed a master's degree in research in brain and behavior at the same University. In 2020 he received a FI AGAUR grant from the Generalitat de Catalunya to begin his doctorate. His field of research is focused on language acquisition processes in immigrant origin students.
Judit Janés
Judit Janés holds a PhD from the University of Lleida (2006). From 2009 to the present, she has been a full-time teacher in the area of Evolutionary Psychology and Education. She was also Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Education Sciences at the University of Lleida (2010) and she is currently the director of the Department of Psychology at this University. She has participated in numerous regional, state and European research projects, obtaining a high number of publications at national and international level.
Elisabet Serrat
Elisabet Serrat is Full Professor in the Department of Psychology of the University of Girona. She is the principal investigator of the Language and Cognition Research Group (UdG). She has participated in several competitive research projects at national and international level. She has been principal investigator of two of these statewide competitive projects. Her research focuses on the study of language acquisition, both in first and second languages, as well as in the study of linguistic factors influencing sociocognitive development.
Ángel Huguet
Ángel Huguet holds a PhD from the Universities of Lleida (1994) and Oviedo (2001). Since 1999, he has been associate professor in the area of Developmental Psychology and Education at the University of Lleida and later as full professor (2008-present). He is the Principal Investigator of the consolidated research group ‘Language and Education’ and has directed numerous research projects at regional, state and European level. Among others, he has received twice the National Research Award from the Spanish Ministry of Education (2003 and 2007).