Early Incidental Second Language Acquisition through Cartoons

This fascinating open access study explains and describes the process by which young children can acquire a second language incidentally via regular exposure to animated cartoons.Joyful and regular multi-year exposure to cartoons can replicate some aspects of the mother-tongue acquisition process, especially when supported by a co-viewing caregiver. Rosalia di Nisio emphasises two important elements in the acquisition process: the mediation of co-viewing adults as a motivating factor, and the multimodal nature of cartoons as a facilitator of extensive comprehension through sounds and images.She demonstrates this multimodality through a focus the ‘dual-coded’ interaction between cartoons’ verbal, auditory and visual dimensions.Combining cognitive, relational and language perspectives, di also Nisio demonstrates the near-native language acquisition phases: singing and acting out mark the baby’s involvement accompanied by a caregiver; the silent, but fertile phase during which listening s