Second language acquisition and universal grammar / Lydia White.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

White, Lydia, 1946- author.

Series:

Cambridge textbooks in linguistics.

Cambridge textbooks in linguistics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Second language acquisition.

Grammar, Comparative and general.

Interlanguage (Language learning).

Principles and parameters (Linguistics).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 316 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Other Title:

Second Language Acquisition & Universal Grammar

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This authoritative 2003 textbook provides an overview and analysis of current second language acquisition research conducted within the generative linguistic framework. Lydia White argues that second language acquisition is constrained by principles and parameters of Universal Grammar. The book focuses on characterizing and explaining the underlying linguistic competence of second language learners in terms of these contraints. Theories as to the role of Universal Grammar and the extent of mother tongue influence are presented and discussed, with particular consideration given to the nature of the interlanguage grammar at different points in development, from the initial state to ultimate attainment. Throughout the book, hypotheses maintaining that second language grammars are constrained by universal principles are contrasted with claims that Universal Grammar is not implicated; relevant empirical research is presented from both sides of the debate. This textbook is essential reading for those studying second language acquisition from a linguistic perspective.

Contents:

Universal grammar and language acquisition

Principles of universal grammar in L2 acquisition

The initial state

Grammars beyond the initial state: parameters and functional categories

The transition problem, triggering and input

Morphological variability and the morphology/syntax interface

Argument structure

Ultimate attainment: the nature of steady state.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 288-311) and index.

ISBN:

1-107-12978-8

0-511-07785-8

0-511-81506-9

0-511-20290-3

0-511-55724-8

0-511-07628-2

OCLC:

57410473