scholarly journals Cratylus’ silence: On the philosophy and methodology of Complex Dynamic Systems Theory in SLA

2021 ◽  
pp. 026765832199245
Author(s):  
Gabriele Pallotti
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Empirical Inquiry ◽  
Complex Dynamic Systems ◽  
Open Issues

Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST) has received considerable attention over the last decades, inspiring a number of second language acquisition studies. This article examines the research from a critical epistemological point of view, starting from the Greek philosopher Cratylus, who concluded that remaining silent is the only way to be entirely coherent with the idea that everything is complex and dynamic. An alternative to this drastic conclusion may consist in ‘saying without saying too much’, that is, setting some limits to theorizing and empirical inquiry. Problems of description, prediction and generalization in a CDST framework are discussed, pointing to some open issues to be addressed by future research. Finally, some proposals are made for a more constructive research program, which may even involve abandoning the ‘CDST’ label.

scholarly journals COMPLEX DYNAMIC SYSTEMS THEORY IN LANGUAGE LEARNING

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Phil Hiver ◽  
Ali H. Al-Hoorie ◽  
Reid Evans
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Complex Dynamic Systems ◽  
Methodological Rigor ◽  
Method Integration ◽  
Theory Research

Abstract A quarter of a century has passed since complex dynamic systems theory was proposed as an alternative paradigm to rethink and reexamine some of the main questions and phenomena in applied linguistics and language learning. In this article, we report a scoping review of the heterogenous body of research adopting this framework. We analyzed 158 reports satisfying our inclusion criteria (89 journal articles and 69 dissertations) for methodological characteristics and substantive contributions. We first highlight methodological trends in the report pool using a framework for dynamic method integration at the levels of study aim, unit of analysis, and choice of method. We then survey the main substantive contribution this body of research has made to the field. Finally, examination of study quality in these reports revealed a number of potential areas of improvement. We synthesize these insights in what we call the “nine tenets” of complex dynamic systems theory research, which we hope will help enhance the methodological rigor and the substantive contribution of future research.

Toward a transdisciplinary integration of research purposes and methods for complex dynamic systems theory: beyond the quantitative–qualitative divide

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Hiver ◽  
Ali H. Al-Hoorie ◽  
Diane Larsen-Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Transdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Complex Dynamic Systems ◽  
Human And Social Sciences ◽  
Starting Point

Abstract Complexity theory/dynamic systems theory has challenged conventional approaches to applied linguistics research by encouraging researchers to adopt a pragmatic transdisciplinary approach that is less paradigmatic and more problem-oriented in nature. Its proponents have argued that the starting point in research design should not be the quantitative–qualitative distinction, or even mixed methods, but the distinction between individual versus group-based designs (i.e., idiographic versus nomothetic). Taking insights from transdisciplinary complexity research in other human and social sciences, we propose an integrative transdisciplinary framework that unites these different perspectives (quantitative–qualitative, individual–group based) from the starting point of exploratory–falsificatory aims. We discuss the implications of this transdisciplinary approach to applied linguistics research and illustrate how such an integrated approach might be implemented in the field.

Complex dynamic systems in students of interpreting training

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanping Dong
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Initial State ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Complex Dynamic Systems ◽  
Contradictory Data

Abstract Students of interpreting training may go through drastic cognitive changes, but current empirical findings are disparate and isolated. To integrate these findings and to obtain a better understanding of interpreting training, the present article tries to reinterpret students of interpreting training as complex dynamic systems. Relying primarily on longitudinal empirical data from several existing studies, the article illustrates how the initial state of some key parameters influences the progress of the systems, how the parameters themselves evolve, and how interpreting competence develops as a result of self-organization. The hope is that a metatheoretical framework such as Dynamic Systems Theory will allow specific findings and particularistic models for interpreting training to be integrated. Moreover, this approach may allow false dichotomies in the field to be overcome and seemingly contradictory data in empirical reports to be better understood, thereby providing guidelines for future research.

A Complex Dynamic Systems Perspective on Personal Background Variables in L1 Attrition

2019 ◽  
pp. 48-60
Author(s):  
Conny Opitz
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
First Language ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Systems Perspective ◽  
Complex Dynamic Systems ◽  
L1 Attrition ◽  
L1 And L2 ◽  
Analytical Approaches

This chapter discusses the methodological challenges associated with studying personal background variables in first language (L1) attrition from the perspective of Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST). It starts with a review of extant research which, despite concerted efforts to design rigorous, comparable studies, to date has not turned up strong, unambiguous predictors for L1 attrition. I argue that this failure lies in the nature of language as a complex dynamic system, and consequently in the properties of variables, their interaction, and varying contribution to the process and outcome of L1 attrition, and indeed to L1 and L2 (second language) acquisition in the larger context of multilingual development. CDST provides a challenge not just for common empirical and analytical approaches to attrition, but for the very notion of ‘predictor’. The chapter concludes by discussing some ways in which the current stalemate may be overcome.

scholarly journals Tracking the dynamic nature of learner individual differences: Initial results from a longitudinal study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-219
Author(s):  
Daniel Jung ◽  
Megan DiBartolomeo ◽  
Fernando Melero-García ◽  
Lindsay Giacomino ◽  
Laura Gurzynski-Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
First Year ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Complex Dynamic Systems ◽  
University Level ◽  
Initial Results

Individual differences (IDs) have long been considered one of the most important factors explaining variable rates and outcomes in second language acquisition (Dewaele, 2013). While traditional operationalizations of IDs have, explicitly or implicitly, assumed that IDs are static traits that are stable through time, more recent research inspired by complex dynamic systems theory (Larsen-Freeman, 1997, 2020) demonstrates that many IDs are dynamic and variable through time and across contexts, a theme echoed throughout the current issue. This study reports the initial semester of a diachronic project investigating the dynamicity of four learner IDs: motivation, personality, learning and cognitive styles, and working memory. In the initial semester, data from 323 participants in their first year of university-level Spanish were collected and analyzed to determine what type of variability may be present across learners with respect to the four IDs studied at one time point and to discern possible learner profiles in the data or patterns via which the data may be otherwise meaningfully described. The results revealed four types of learner profiles present in the dataset.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document