Developmental stages challenging cross-linguistic transfer: L2 acquisition of Norwegian adjectival agreement in attributive and predicative contexts

This study presents cross-sectional data on adjectival agreement in second-language (L2) learners of Norwegian with four different first languages (L1s). The target language has full noun phrase between article, adjective and noun, the source represent conditions, similar to or from language. Sixteen participated study, their oral production was analysed individually. Two hypotheses were proposed. First, will develop a piecemeal way follow developmental stages predicted by Processability Theory (Pienemann, 1998), attributive predicative implicationally ordered. Second, L1 transfer that into L2, whereas without not use agreement. Under hypothesis, we expect be distributed along scale, some applying positions only others both positions. second anticipate difference groups: Learners mark all contexts where it occurs L1, who do have fail overall. comparison demonstrates larger differences within groups than groups. suggests gradual acquisition agreement, features emerging one rather being transferred L1.