The symposium addresses cross-linguistic similarity as an underlying factor all through the language learning, development and use. Learning a new language (TL) is always based on the knowledge of the first (L1) or any formerly learned language (Ln). The starting point is what is similar between the TL and L1 or Ln. The similarity can be divided into actual (objective), perceived, or assumed. Particularly the comprehension of a closely related TL is greatly dependent on the perceptions of similarity across the languages. The construct of similarity, however, has not been much discussed or empirically studied. The aim of the proposed symposium is to fill this cap and to bring together empirical research on it, to advance the methodology of defining and measuring similarity across languages. Also the enhancement of language users' ability to perceive similarity by increasing their metalinguistic awareness requires a better understanding of the concept of similarity. In this symposium, cross-linguistic similarity is examined from three perspectives: 1) best practices for measuring cross-linguistic similarity using both objective and subjective (psycholinguistic) measures; 2) the effects of receptive multilingualism on language learning and use; and 3) the effects of metalinguistic awareness on language learners' ability to recognize cross-linguistic similarities.
Room 1 AILA 2021 aila2021@gcb.nlThe symposium addresses cross-linguistic similarity as an underlying factor all through the language learning, development and use. Learning a new language (TL) is always based on the knowledge of the first (L1) or any formerly learned language (Ln). The starting point is what is similar between the TL and L1 or Ln. The similarity can be divided into actual (objective), perceived, or assumed. Particularly the comprehension of a closely related TL is greatly dependent on the perceptions of similarity across the languages. The construct of similarity, however, has not been much discussed or empirically studied. The aim of the proposed symposium is to fill this cap and to bring together empirical research on it, to advance the methodology of defining and measuring similarity across languages. Also the enhancement of language users' ability to perceive similarity by increasing their metalinguistic awareness requires a better understanding of the concept of similarity. In this symposium, cross-linguistic similarity is examined from three perspectives: 1) best practices for measuring cross-linguistic similarity using both objective and subjective (psycholinguistic) measures; 2) the effects of receptive multilingualism on language learning and use; and 3) the effects of metalinguistic awareness on language learners' ability to recognize cross-linguistic similarities.
Carles Fuster
Ilmari Ivaska
Nadja Kerschhofer-Puhalo
Scott Jarvis 
