The book analyzes the complex relationship between languages in the bilingual mind with a focus
on motion event typology and the acquisition of Spanish as a second language (L2). The author
starts out by examining L1 patterns which are transferred to less complex L2 systems. The data
discussed was elicited by German learners of Spanish. A similar transfer is observed when L1 is
typologically and genetically close as in the case of French and Italian learners of Spanish.
Furthermore the author clarifies the relevance of intra-typological differences within the
same linguistic family including important differences in the lexicalization patterns of
Italian with respect to French and Spanish. The findings contribute to our understanding of the
field of motion event typology and thinking-for-speaking. The book demonstrates that conceptual
transfer is present in different aspects of the motion lexicalization domain. Interestingly
there are some challenging aspects both for speakers whose first language is typologically
different and for those whose language is typologically close. The book offers suggestions on
how these challenges in the restructuring of meaning in L2 can be addressed in language
teaching. Specifically pedagogical translation and mediation present promising pathways to the
strengthening of semantic competences in the L2.
