Second language acquisition and linguistics: A bidirectional perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patti Spinner ◽  
Susan Gass
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Noun Phrase ◽  
Language Research ◽  
Bidirectional Relationship ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Language Data ◽  
And Linguistics ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractWe argue for a bidirectional relationship between second language research and linguistic theories. It is our belief that SLA research should look to linguistics for concepts and models that provide a basis upon which to make hypotheses, conduct data analysis, and draw conclusions, and we also believe that linguistic theorists can develop and improve their understanding of linguistic concepts and models by examining the results from SLA studies. In this paper, we present arguments in favor of this approach, with examples from two different types of linguistic universals: the Noun Phrase Accessibility Hierarchy and features such as tense and number. Second language acquisition data have been used to provide evidence for the Noun Phrase Accessibility Hierarchy and provide a way to understand areas in which its predictions are not met. Similarly, second language data provide us with a view of what happens when there is a contrast between features in a speaker’s native language and the language being learned. The data thus may shed light on the universality of features, in addition to how features are represented, parsed, and processed. In both cases, we argue that second language data are valuable when examining certain linguistic questions because they illuminate areas of conflict or mismatch between two linguistic systems.

scholarly journals How to study second language acquisition: a cross-sectional method

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Jogilė Teresa Ramonaitė
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Language Attitudes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Language Data ◽  
Conducting Research

This paper describes a cross-sectional method, which is employed when conducting research on acquisition of Lithuanian as a second language. This is one of the most optimal methods to study the process of language acquisition in adults, since it does not demand a long-term commitment on the part of the studied subjects. On the basis of the method, a specific research protocol has been designed in the framework of various second language acquisition research projects conducted in Europe. One of its advantages is that language data can be collected in a fairly small group (10-30 people) of learners of different acquisition levels. The data collected in this way is later analysed and compared between learners in order to determine the acquisitional sequence and other aspects of interest. The main corpus for this study is constituted by language data collected during a semi- structured (socio)linguistic interview, which is a free talk with a participant, who is encouraged to talk. The talk includes some specific questions. During the interview, not only the language data but also some important information about other relevant sociolinguistic factors is collected, such as age, period of stay in the country, language attitudes and motivation. To be able to better compare the participants and to study specific linguistic aspects that might fail to appear in spontaneous speech, all the participants are given the same additional tasks. The tasks described in this paper are of different types: film retelling, storytelling according to a sequence of pictures, describing two similar pictures and indicating differences between them, giving a recipe and repeating sentences. Different competences are required in these tasks but most attention is given to language production. The paper also offers some practical advice and observations based on the study. The specific study where the method was applied for Lithuanian aims at researching the development of acquisition of Lithuanian with the focus on the development of the verb system. The data collected in this manner could be used to study other aspects of language acquisition as well.

Second Language Acquisition Research and Language Pedagogy: A Critical View

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Talebinejad ◽  
Aasa Moattarian
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Language Pedagogy ◽  
Language Research ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Research Findings

<p class="1"><span lang="X-NONE">Over the past several decades, a substantial body of research on second language acquisition has been provided. The current study was an attempt to investigate language teachers’ views on applying research findings in their every day practice of language teaching through a critical lens. Data for this qualitative study was collected by means of a semi structured interview with 10 language teachers teaching English at different language institutes in Iran. Analyses of data revealed that, although teachers find second language acquisition research a useful tool for their professional development; they do not usually consult bodies of research in their every day teaching practice. They report problems in applying second language research in their practice due to problems with practicality, particularity, and possibility. The findings suggest that language teachers need to be exposed to insight from SLA research and practice.</span></p>

Řečové akty omluvy u českých studentů v angličtině (L2): vybrané výsledky pilotáže

2019 ◽  
pp. 157-188
Author(s):  
Marie Vališová
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Speech Acts ◽  
Linguistic Competence ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Shed Light

During the second half of the 20th century, there was a shift in focus in second language acquisition research from linguistic competence to communicative and pragmatic competence (Hymes, 1972; Canale & Swain, 1980; Canale, 1983; Bachman, 1990; Bachman & Palmer, 1996; Usó-Juan & Martínez-Flor, 2006). This resulted in a growing number of studies on speech acts in general. Motivated by a lack of studies on the speech acts of apology in conversations of Czech learners of English as a foreign language, my dissertation project aims to shed light on apology strategies used by Czech university students.

Natural Phonology and Second Language Acquisition

1996 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 9-21
Author(s):  
Niclas Abrahamsson
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
First Language ◽  
First Language Acquisition ◽  
Original Theory ◽  
Preliminary Model ◽  
Language Research ◽  
Promising Application ◽  
Phonetic Value

This paper looks at whether Natural Phonology can be directly applied to second language acquisition. First, the original theory, as presented by Stampe and Donegan in the 1970s, is outlined. Secondly, its application to first language acquisition is presented, as this is highly crucial for the following discussion on the naturalness of second language phonology. Thirdly, an attempt is made to establish a preliminary model of the application to second language speech. Findings indicate that Natural Phonology is able to, if not resolve, then at least shed some light on a controversial issue in second language research, namely the distinction between interference and development. With the dichotomy of processes vs. rules offered by Natural Phonology, and hence the interpretation of deviations in second language research as the result of failure of suppression and limitation of processes (instead of as the result of interference from LI phonological rules), the interference/ development distinction collapses. In addition, a principle of closest phonetic value' is postulated in order to explain substitutional variation across learners with differing LI backgrounds. Although highly promising, application of Natural Phonology to second language issues also raises inherent problems in the original theory that need to be resolved. Instead of the notions of innateness and latency of processes proposed by Stampean Natural Phonology, in this paper, suggestions are made concerning the brain's early programming of processes in the form of a model which covers both first and second language acquisition.

Stranger in Paradigm

Target ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Shlesinger
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Translation Theory ◽  
Simultaneous Interpreting ◽  
Object Of Study ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract Simultaneous interpreting holds rich potential for research whose results may shed light not only on the workings of this composite skill itself but also on other areas of study, including language processing, second language acquisition, mediated linguistic interaction, textlinguistics and translation theory. As more and more interpreters are university trained, the interest in less intuitive, more rigorous studies is bound to grow. This article explores potential interdisciplinary paradigms, the premise being that they will gradually evolve towards meeting the specific requirements of interpretation as an object of study.

scholarly journals THE ACCULTURATION MODEL OF SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: INSPECTING WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Zaker
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Linguistic Competence ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Affecting Factor ◽  
Different Types ◽  
L2 Learning ◽  
Language Environment

Previous research has highlighted the significant impact of culture on learning a second language (L2). Accordingly, culture is now believed to be a major learning-affecting factor which, along with linguistic competence, facilitates the process of L2 learning. Some have proposed that being surrounded in the L2 environment gives one a better chance of learning an L2. Based on this premise, Schumann in 1978 proposed the acculturation/pidginization model as an environmental-oriented model that emphasizes identification with a community as the primary requirement of second language acquisition. This study attempts to take a closer look at different aspects of this theory. The taxonomy of factors which control social distance is presented along with the different types of acculturation and the stages/steps of acculturation in an L2 environment. The article concludes with a discussion on the advantages and shortcomings of the model.Keywords: acculturation, culture, pidginization, target language environment

COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE ACQUISITION.Michael R. Brent (Ed.). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1997. Pp. 199. $20.00 paper.

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-504
Author(s):  
John A. Moyne
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Computational Approach ◽  
The Other ◽  
General Reader ◽  
Computational Approaches ◽  
Introductory Essay ◽  
Active Research ◽  
And Linguistics

This book is a timely and important contribution to the study of language acquisition. It should be of value to those engaged in active research in this field, as well as to the general reader with an interest in language acquisition and linguistics. The papers are rather technical and may be difficult for the general reader, but the introductory essay by the editor, Brent, goes a long way to provide the background and describe the contents of the other essays in a more comprehensible language for the nontechnical reader. It should be pointed out, however, that this book is about language acquisition in general (including the theory of learning), particularly the computational approach in the research. It is not specifically concerned with second language acquisition.

Indexen Voor Beurtwisselingsinitiatief in Tweede-Taal Verwerving

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 103-115
Author(s):  
Resi Damhuis
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Classroom Interactions ◽  
Turn Taking ◽  
Language Data ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Children's Development ◽  
Incomplete Picture

For optimal second language acquisition (SLA) classroom interactions have to allow normative speaking children to participate actively, because such initiative-rich participation enhances the children's development of linguistic and communicative competence. This article focuses on turn-taking initiatives. Turn-taking initiatives vary in their initiative strength. Restricting analysis exclusively to strong initiatives yields an incomplete picture of the contribution of a conversation to SLA. Less strong initiatives, too, must be taken into account. To analyze each utterance for its initiative value, a turn-taking taxonomy was developed, leading to turn-taking indices that represent the mean initiative value of all utterances by a speaker. Language data from kindergarten conversations show that only results on strong initiatives differ from results on turn-taking indices. It is argued that in order to assess the value of a conversation for SLA both kinds of measures, strong initiatives as well as indices, are necessary.

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