Effects of input on L2 acquisition of EP: the case of null objects

Abstract

This study investigates the acquisition of null objects in L2 European Portuguese (EP), using an elicited oral production task and two speeded acceptability judgement tasks (written and oral). Participants were 25 L1 EP speakers and 30 L1 Spanish-L2 EP adult learners at intermediate to near-native levels. Results show that L1 and L2 EP speakers produce and accept clitics significantly more than null objects. Regarding null objects, the native group exhibits significant effects of animacy (the acceptance is higher with an inanimate antecedent) and accessibility (the acceptance is higher with an immediately accessible antecedent). The L2 groups do not display any animacy or accessibility effects, even at the near-native level. These results show that L2 learners may have permanent difficulties both at the syntax-discourse and at the syntax-semantics interfaces when the construction being acquired is infrequent in the input and the L1 differs from the L2.