The second time around minimalism and L2 acquisition
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The second time around minimalism and L2 acquisition
（Language acquisition & language disorders / editors, Harald Clahsen, William Rutherford, v. 21）
John Benjamins, c2000
- : Eur.
- : U.S.
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. [225]-274) and indexes
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Linking recent advances in theoretical syntax and empirical research in language development, the book claims that second language acquisition is not totally distinct from first language acquisition, but rather is a replay, a relearning of language. It argues that Universal Grammar is a template guiding acquisition of L1 while constraining acquisition of L2. Assuming that a syntactic distinction crucial for language and its acquisition is the division between lexical and functional categories, it argues that the key to L2 as well as L1 acquisition of syntax is the mastery of morphological features and their linking to functional categories. It thus supports the availability of UG to the second language learner and the minimalist claim that cross-linguistic variation is morpholexical. Constructionism, the hypothesis of L2A proposed in this account, argues for a period of feature underspecification after loss of the L1 value, followed by a progressive building of the L2 value through specific constructions.
Table of Contents
- 1. Preface
- 2. 1. Theoretical Foundations of Second Language Acquisition
- 3. 2. Critical Age and L1/L2 Differences
- 4. 3. Generative Theory From Aspects to Minimalism
- 5. 4. The Stages of First and Second Language Acquisition
- 6. 5. Parameter Shifting in L2 Acquisition
- 7. 6. Evidence for UG Access in L2A
- 8. 7. The Role of Learning Strategies and UG
- 9. 8. Relearning Language
- 10. References
- 11. Subject Index
- 12. Name Index
by "Nielsen BookData"