Negative transfer in the L2 acquisition of passive constructions and factors affecting successful learning

Abstract

This study examines the acquisition of French passives by L1 Burkinabè native language learners. It investigates the negative L1 transfer from languages that do not overtly mark passive constructions. The analysis also includes other factors that are strongly associated with successful acquisition of French passives. The results confirm that L1 Burkinabè native language users have difficulty in acquiring L2 French passive constructions. Furthermore, the data obtained from a survey and a language test showed that learners’ living environment was the most influential factor in successful acquisition of passive constructions, with onset age of study and number of years studying being much less influential.

Keywords

• second language acquisition
• French passives
• passive constructions in L2
• Burkinabè native languages
• effect of language learning