Background: Key concepts in L+ phonology and orthography

Chapter 1 provides the background to the topic of orthographic effects (OEs) on phonology. It briefly introduces concepts, terms, and conventions related to phonetics, phonology, orthography, and second language research that are used in the book. It proposes the term ‘plus language’ (‘L+’) as an alternative to the established term ‘second language’ (L2). It summarises relevant theory and evidence in L+ phonology that provide the context to the study reported in Part 2, with a focus on variables that affect L+ speech perception and production (L1 phonology, age of onset of acquisition, instruction) and models of L+ phonological development. It ends by introducing aspects of L+ writing systems that can explain how orthographic forms affect L+ phonology, which is the topic of Chapter 2.