Early bilingualism and word order in Breton

FAVERERAU, Francis

Publication year:

2000

Publication place:

Donostia-San Sebastián

ISBN:

84-8419-966-5

ISSN:

1137-4446

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Summary

The aim of this investigation is to analyse word order in the productions of children who are acquiring Breton as a second language at school, in order to detect influences from their first language. The author has organised the paper as follows: in the introduction, general characteristics of the Breton language; in part one, adult word order in Breton; in part two, word order in childrens´ speech and, finally, conclusions. The productions analysed have been collected from children aged 3 to 6 taught in Breton at a different school. According to the author, the different word orders used by adults are also found in these childrens´ production. Influence from French is strong during the initial stage of schooling. By the age of 6, however, children have acquired the structures offered by school and environment.