Dynamics of L2 Sociolinguistic Development in Adulthood

by Mason A. Wirtz

Overview

This book constitutes a holistic study of sociolinguistic development among adult second language (L2) learners in a naturalistic setting. Combining results from a cross-sectional and longitudinal micro-development study, it examines the acquisition of both the productive and interpretive skills necessary to engage with the contextually sensitive use of vernacularity in Austria. The studies focus on issues of inter- and intra-individual variation and aim to shed much-needed light on why L2 learners acquire sociolinguistic variation, which aspects of it they acquire, which factors influence it and when they acquire it. Drawing on methodological and theoretical frameworks from diverse fields such as developmental and cognitive psychology, psycho- and sociolinguistics, as well as second language acquisition, the book connects topics rarely found in the same empirical piece, including the role of cognitive functioning and socioaffective factors, the temporal specificity of L2 sociolinguistic development in production and perception, and the issue of group-to-individual generalizability. The studies showcased in this work provide ample evidence that late starters of a L2 in early adulthood and midlife can acquire the skills necessary to successfully navigate the complex sociolinguistic variation within the target-language community, but the process is certainly not one without hurdles.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781836680055
Publisher:	Channel View Publications
Publication date:	07/15/2025
Series:	Second Language Acquisition , #170
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	6.15(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Mason A. Wirtz is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. His principal research areas include variationist SLA, socio- and psycholinguistics, especially as concerns quantitative approaches, statistical methods and novel approaches to data collection.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1. The Big Picture

Chapter 2. Mapping the Terrain

Chapter 3. The Current Empirical Study

Chapter 4. Unpacking the INTER and INDIVIDUAL in L2 Sociolinguistic Development

Chapter 5. The Systematicity of Outcomes in L2 Sociolinguistic Development

Chapter 6. Signature Dynamics of L2 Sociolinguistic Micro-Development

Chapter 7. Reconciling the INTER and INTRA in Variationist SLA

Chapter 8. Conclusion and Future Perspectives

References

Index

Editorial Reviews

In his novel investigation of sociolinguistic competence, Wirtz highlights the roles of cognitive and psycholinguistic factors, provides a compelling intra-individual longitudinal design, and carefully analyzes both group and individual data. This innovative and rigorous mixed-methods resource is sure to be required reading for scholars of SLA!

Matthew Kanwit

This is a deeply insightful study of when, how and why learners acquire sociolinguistic variation of German. Mason Wirtz pushes the boundaries of existing knowledge on the development of sociolinguistic competence by employing innovative new methods and test batteries rarely applied in Variationist SLA. This book provides a rich research agenda that will impact how we think about and study L2 sociolinguistic development for years to come.

Erik Schleef

This book constitutes an excellent example of high-quality L2 variationist scholarship. Although he challenges the methodological and theoretical boundaries of the field, Wirtz shows himself to be a skilled bridge builder, drawing on robust findings from decades of research but also offering fresh and innovative ways forward.

Amanda Edmonds

From the advanced statistical techniques to the use of virtual reality, this volume offers new and exciting insights, approaches, and methods at every turn. It dazzles in its specificities and details, yet it never loses sight of the big picture: the central role language plays in our social lives.

Megan Solon