The parasitic model of L2 and L3 vocabulary acquisition: evidence from naturalistic and experimental studies

Abstract

This paper reviews evidence for the Parasitic Model of Vocabulary Acquisition for second and third language learners/developing multilinguals. It first describes the model’s predictions about default processes based on the detection and use of similarity at the three stages involved in the development of individual lexical items: (1) the establishing of a form representation, (2) the building of connections to syntactic frame and concept representations, and (3) the strengthening and automatization of representations and access routes. The paper then summarizes both naturalistic and experimental evidence for processes involved at these three stages. Finally it discusses open issues and potential areas for future investigation.

Keywords

• Vocabulary acquisition
• Lexical development
• Multilingual
• Third language
• Parasitic Model
• Cross-linguistic influence