Two by two: a twin study of second-language acquisition

Psychol Sci. 2010 May;21(5):635-40. doi: 10.1177/0956797610368060. Epub 2010 Apr 16.

Abstract

In this report, we provide initial results of the first application of the classic twin design to second-language acquisition. The analysis was conducted on assessments teachers made using United Kingdom National Curriculum standards and included 604 pairs of 14-year-old twins. The results demonstrate substantial heritability (.67) and low influence of shared environment (.13) on this measure of second-language acquisition. The heritability of second-language acquisition at 14 years is comparable to the heritability of the two first-language acquisition measures obtained at 12 and 14 years, respectively, and is higher than heritability estimates previously published for first-language acquisition in early childhood. Multivariate behavior genetic analyses suggest very high, but not complete, overlap of genetic influences on first- and second-language acquisition, and less overlap between shared environmental influences on the two domains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aptitude*
  • Child
  • England
  • Female
  • Genetics, Behavioral
  • Humans
  • Language Development*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Multilingualism*
  • Social Environment
  • Twins / genetics*
  • Twins / psychology
  • Wales