Linguistic Theory in Second Language Acquisition

ISBN-13: 9781556080845 / Angielski / Miękka / 1988 / 444 str.

S. Flynn; W. O'Neil; Suzanne Flynn

Opis

Suzanne Flynn and Wayne O'Neil Massachusetts Institute of Technology I. INTRODUCTION The theory of Universal Grammar (UG) as explicated e. g. in Chomsky, 1986, has led to explosive developments in the study of natural language as well as to significant advances in the study of first language (L I) acquisition. Most recently. the theory of UG has led to important theore tical and empirical advances in the field of adult second language (L2) acquisition as well. The principle impetus for this development can be traced to the work in linguistics which shifted the study "from behavior or the products of behavior to states of the mind/brain that enter into behavior" (Chomksy. 1986:3). Grammars within this framework are conceived of as theoretical accounts of "the state of the mind/brain of the person who knows a particular language" (Chomsky. 1986:3). Research within fields of language acquisition seeks to isolate and specify the properties of the underlying competence necessary for language learning. Full development of a theory of UG demands study and understanding of the nature of both the formal properties of language and of the language acquisition process itself. However. while there is a tradition of debate and dialogue established between theoretical linguistics and Ll acquisition research. relatively few connections have been made between linguistic theory and L2 acquisition research."

Spis treści

A Theoretical and Historical Context for Second Language Acquisition.- Linguistic Theory: Generative Grammar.- The Ontogenesis of the Field of Second Language Learning Research.- B Parameters.- Parameterized Grammatical Theory and Language Acquisition: A Study of the Acquisition of Verb Placement and Inflection by Children and Adults.- Nature of Development in L2 Acquisition and Implications for Theories of Language Acquisition in General.- Linguistic Theory. Neurolinguistics and Second Language Acquisition.- Second Language Acquisition: A Biolinguistic Perspective.- Neurolinguistics and Parameter Setting.- C Markedness in Second Language Acquisition.- The Acquisition of Infinitive and Gerund Complements by Second Language Learners.- Island Effects in Second Language Acquisition.- On the Role of Linguistic Theory in Explanations of Second Language Developmental Grammars.- L2 Learnability: Delimiting the Domain of Core Grammar as Distinct from the Marked Periphery.- Kinds of Markedness.- D Additional Evidence for Universal Grammar.- The Categorial Status of Modals and L2 Acquisition.- UG-Generated Knowledge in Adult Second Language Acquisition.- Prosodic Phonology and the Acquisition of a Second Language.- Universal Grammar in Second Language Acquisition: Promises and Problems in Critically Relating Theory and Empirical Studies.- E Complementary Perspectives.- Pidginization as Language Acquisition.- All Paths Lead to the Mental Lexicon.- Intermorphology and Morphological Theory: A Plea for a Concession.- F Universal Grammar from a Traditional Perspective.- Second Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory: The Role of Language Transfer.- Grammatical Theory and L2 Acquisition: A Brief Overview.- Typological and Parametric Views of Universals in Second Language Acquisition.- List of Contributors.- Index of Names.- Index of Subjects.