Signature Dynamics of Development in L2 Sociolinguistic Competence: Evidence from an Intensive Micro-Longitudinal Study

This study is the first to explore micro-development in L2 sociolinguistic evaluative judgements of standard German and Austro-Bavarian dialect by adult German learners using dense time serial measurements. Intensive longitudinal data (10 observations per participant) were collected from 4 learners at approximately weekly intervals over 3 months. We employed fitted additive models (GAMs) with superimposed periods of significant change to identify rapid developmental phases in individual developmental trajectories. By triangulating GAMs with qualitative introspective and retrodictive interview data, we identified environmental and psychological stimuli for change within each individual’s micro-development. Learners evinced increasing and decreasing periods of significant change, independent of length of residence. Dynamic constellations of identity-/agency-related factors alongside more intensive social interaction with target-variety speakers contribute to significant changes in sociolinguistic micro-development. We discuss findings from a complexity perspective and advocate for micro-longitudinal studies in variationist SLA to better capture stimuli for change in learners’ emerging multivarietal repertoires.