Modularity and interlanguage development : the acquisition of configurationality by German learners of English
This thesis is concerned with the nature of systematicity and development in interlanguage grammars. The inquiry into these notions is conducted within the framework of a modular conception of language acquisition. We assume that the process of second language acquisition is determined by the interaction of Universal Grammar, whose mode of operation is top-down and deductive, and a general learning module, whose mode of operation is bottom-up and inductive. We also take a modular view of the acquisition of syntax in supposing that language development occurs as the result of the acquisition process occuring independently in the various parameterized principles of Universal Grammar. The special character of second language grammars arises from the fact that the parameters of Universal Grammar at the start of the acquisition process are already fixed and may be imcompatible with the second language grammar. Where there is no evidence available to disconfirm an overly general grammar, or where the problem space presented by the parameter is complex or indeterminate, then the learner is likely to encounter difficulty in resetting the parameter. Interlanguage grammars are also characterized by a high degree of
Robertson, Daniel
Modularity and interlanguage development : the acquisition of configurationality by German learners of English. This thesis is concerned with the nature of systematicity and development in interlanguage grammars. The inquiry into these notions is conducted within the framework of a modular conception of language acquisition. We assume that the process of second language acquisition is determined by the interaction of Universal Grammar, whose mode of operation is top-down and deductive, and a general learning module, whose mode of operation is bottom-up and inductive. We also take a modular view of the acquisition of syntax in supposing that language development occurs as the result of the acquisition process occuring independently in the various parameterized principles of Universal Grammar. The special character of second language grammars arises from the fact that the parameters of Universal Grammar at the start of the acquisition process are already fixed and may be imcompatible with the second language grammar. Where there is no evidence available to disconfirm an overly general grammar, or where the problem space presented by the parameter is complex or indeterminate, then the learner is likely to encounter difficulty in resetting the parameter. Interlanguage grammars are also characterized by a high degree of
modularity interlanguage_development acquisition german learners_english concerned_nature systematicity development interlanguage grammar inquiry notion conduct_within framework modular conception language_acquisition assume process second_language_acquisition determine interaction universal_grammar whose mode operation top_down deductive general learning module whose mode operation bottom_up inductive also take modular view acquisition syntax suppose language development occur acquisition_process occur independently various principle universal_grammar special character second_language grammar arise fact parameter universal_grammar start acquisition_process already fix may second_language grammar evidence_available overly general grammar problem space present parameter complex indeterminate learner likely encounter difficulty reset parameter interlanguage grammar also characterize high_degree