Aspectual Influences on English Temporal Morphology Acquisition: Evidence from Albanian L1 Speakers

Abstract

This study investigates how Albanian native speakers acquire English temporal morphology through the theoretical lens of the Aspect Hypothesis. Employing within-category analysis of written narratives from 27 adult learners across three academic years, the research examines developmental patterns in English tense-aspect acquisition. The investigation addresses a significant gap in second language acquisition research by focusing on an understudied L1 population. Results indicate partial support for Aspect Hypothesis predictions, with systematic deviations suggesting that Albanian-specific transfer effects interact with proposed universal acquisition sequences. These findings contribute to ongoing debates about universality versus language-specific factors in temporal morphology development.