A Parameter-Setting Model of L2 Acquisition: Experimental Studies in Anaphora

by S. Flynn

Overview

Recent developments in linguistic theory have led to an important reorientation of research in related fields of linguistic inquiry as well as in linguistics itself. The developments I have in mind, viewed from the point of view of government-binding theory, have to do with the character­ ization of Universal Grammar (UG) as a set of subtheories, each with its set of central principles (perhaps just one principle central to each subtheory) and parameters (perhaps just one for each principle) according to which a principle can vary between an unmarked ('-') and a marked ('+') para­ metric value (Chomsky, 1985; 1986). For example, let us assume that there is an X-bar theory in explanation of those features of phrase structure irreducible to other subtheo­ ries of UG. Within X-bar theory variation among languages is then allowed only with respect to the position the head of a phrase occupies in rela t ion to its complemen ts such that the phrases of a language will be either right- or left-headed. Thus languages will vary between being right-headed in this respect (as in Japanese phrase structure) and being left-headed (as in English phrase structure). Everything else about the phrase structure of particular languages will be fixed within X-bar theory itself or else it will fallout from other subtheories of UG: Case theory; 0-theory, etc. (Chomsky, 1985:161-62; Chomsky, 1986:2-4; and references cited there). Hatters are the same in other modules of grammar.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789027723758
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	12/31/1986
Series:	Studies in Theoretical Psycholinguistics , #5
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1987
Pages:	260
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction.- 1.1 L2 Acquisition: The Problems and Traditional Answers.- 1.2 Universal Grammar.- 1.3 Basis for an Alternative Theory of L2 Acquisition.- 1.4 Outline of the Book.- 2. Traditional Theories of L2 Acquisition.- 2.1 Theory of Contrastive Analysis (CA).- 2.2 Theory of Creative Construction (CC).- 2.3 Bases for an Explanatory Theory of L2 Acquisition.- 2.4 Preliminary Conclusions.- Notes to Chapter Two.- 3. Universal Grammar.- 3.1 Universal Grammar.- 3.2 Universal Grammar as a Theory of Grammar.- 3.3 Linguistic Focus of Book.- 3.4 Relevant Linguistic Concepts for Experimental Tests of Pronoun and Null Anaphors.- 3.5 Universal Grammar as a Theory of Language Acquisition.- 3.6 Overview: UG and L2 Acquisition.- 3.7 Summary.- Notes to Chapter Three.- 4. A Typological Comparison Of Japanese and Spanish.- 4.1 Word Order, Configurationality, and Head-Initial/Head-Final Parameter.- 4.2 Anaphora.- 4.3 Adjunct Adverbial Subordinate Clauses.- 4.4 Summary of Cross-Linguistic Facts.- Notes to Chapter Four.- 5. Rationale and Design.- 5.1 General Hypotheses to be Tested.- 5.2 Overview: Experimental Design.- 5.3 Experimental Design and Hypotheses.- 5.4 Basic Controls on Experimental Design.- Notes to Chapter Five.- 6 Methodology.- 6.1 Subjects (Ss).- 6.2 General Procedures.- 6.3 Materials.- 6.4 ESL Proficiency Test: Standardized Levels.- 6.5 Specific Experimental Task Procedures.- 6.6 Procedures for Data Transcription.- 6.7 Procedures for Scoring of the Data.- 7. Results.- 7.1 Results for Experimental Controls.- 7.2 Amount Correct: Results for Production Tests.- 7.3 Error Analyses: Results for Production Tests 1 to 3.- 7.4 Amount Correct: Results for Comprehension Test 4.- 7.5 Coreference Judgements (CRJs).- 7.6 General Summary and Conclusions.- Notes to Chapter Seven.- 8.Some Conclusions.- 8.1 General Summary.- 8.2 Similarities in L2 Acquisition for Spanish and Japanese Speakers.- 8.3 Dissimilarities in L2 Acquisition for Spanish and Japanese Speakers.- 8.4 Implications for an Alternative Theory of L2 Acquisition.- 8.5 Some Differences Between L1 and L2 Acquisition.- 8.6 Possible Alternative Explanations of the Data.- 8.7 Importance for a Theory of UG.- 8.8 Implications for Future Research.- Appendices.- Author Index.