The Mandarin <i>ba</i>-construction in school-age heritage speakers and their parental input

Abstract Recent research has identified language development in school-age heritage children as an important yet missing link between child early bilinguals and adult speakers. This study investigates the Mandarin ba -construction ([(NP1)- -NP2-VP]) through elicited narration among ( n = 27, aged 4–14) their parents 18) UK. The results showed considerable similarities a number of key structural properties -construction. However, produced with reduced frequency “heritage variety” set nominal verbal phrases NP2 VP, which is not attested group age-matched speakers Beijing. Additionally, higher children’s production associated greater lexical diversity, rather than -construction, parental input. We lay out positive aspects variety sustaining bilingual contexts consider different roles diversity input maintaining grammar late childhood adolescence.