Third-language acquisition (TLA), sometimes called third-language learning—otherwise referred to as L3 (language 3) acquisition, refers to multilinguals learning additional languages. It contrasts with second-language acquisition in the narrow sense, which is concerned with the acquisition of an additional language by (then) monolinguals.
The success of third language acquisition varies with age and the languages already known, which can have intricate effects on the language to be acquired.
References
Williams S, Hammarberg B (1998). "Language switches in L3 production: Implications for a polyglot speaking model". Applied Linguistics. 19 (3): 259–333. doi:10.1093/applin/19.3.295. http://su.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:371335/FULLTEXT01 ↩
Bardel, Camilla; Sánchez, Laura (2020). Third language acquisition (pdf). Berlin: Language Science Press. doi:10.5281/zenodo.4138753. ISBN 978-3-96110-281-5. 978-3-96110-281-5 ↩
Bardel, Camilla; Sánchez, Laura (2020). Third language acquisition (pdf). Berlin: Language Science Press. doi:10.5281/zenodo.4138753. ISBN 978-3-96110-281-5. 978-3-96110-281-5 ↩