Linguistic distance and crosslinguistic influence in the L2 and L3 acquisition of morphosyntax

Our goal in this collection is to take a step in connecting findings from these large-scale empirical studies with insights from small-scale and experimental studies targeting the impact of fine-grained L1-Ln variation on Ln learning. Both approaches provide crucial information on transfer processes and language learning. We suggest that considering the role of typological similarity and linguistic distance in depth can provide a way to understand how the large-scale effects might connect to more qualitative insights from smaller studies. Understanding this connection will illuminate the nature and consequences of crosslinguistic influence and may have concrete didactic implications for the increasingly multilingual classroom.