A cross-linguistic study of L3 speech perception of voiced and voiceless stops

The study examines the perception of labial stops by English(L1)/Spanish(L2) [Group A] and Spanish(L1)/English(L2) [Group B] learners of French (L3). We investigate Cross-Linguistic Influence (CLI) processes of L3 speech perception by looking at how the previously acquired languages shape L3 perception (progressive CLI) and how an L3 affects the categorization of L2 and L1 sounds (regressive CLI). The possibility that L3 speakers have a single perception system for all languages was also examined. Participants had to identify stimuli from a VOT continuum as either /p/ or /b/, in different languages. Evidence of hybrid L1/L2→L3 progressive cross-linguistic influence was found for Group A and only L1→L3 for Group B. No patterns of regressive CLI were observed. Finally, it is not always the case that trilinguals make use of different perception systems when listening to L1, L2 and L3.