Transferability and linguistic substrates

This article considers the issue of transferability, a well-known concept in the SLA literature but not one so frequently investigated in language contact research. Three principles can help to identify effects of transferability in language contact: similar distributional range in L1 and L2; multiple geographic occurrences; and high likelihood in certain geographic areas. The article shows the applicability of the principles to language contact in the British Isles (especially Ireland) with a detailed discussion of absolute constructions, structures which show interesting relations between syntax and discourse, and which also seem susceptible to crosslinguistic influence. Although counterarguments are possible to make, they do not account for the known facts. Moreover, the evidence for the transferability of absolutes in Hiberno-English strengthens the case for crosslinguistic influence in a totally different language contact situation, the Indian subcontinent. The most general conclusion to be drawn from the discussion is that SLA research and language contact studies can be mutually enriching. The former can provide principles to establish the likelihood of transfer of particular structures, while the latter can expand the range of data that will contribute to a sound theory of transferability.