Second Language Acquisition
Nathan Devos
WS 08/09
How age affects second language learning
The Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH):
Definition:
CPH =
There is a crucial Period for achieving nativelike skills in an L1 or an L2.
“A comparatively well-defined window of opportunity“
Six characteristics of CP:
-
Onset:
*Different onsets for each domain: phonology, grammar, lexicon and discourse.
*Starts at 6 months when child is sensitive to phonetic categories
-
Terminus: (offset)
*There are different ideas of duration of the CPH
-
Intrinsic components:
*Inborn predisposition for language acquisition
-
Extrinsic components:
*Environmental factors can influence language development
-
Affected system:
*Language proper
-
Ultimate causes:
* Biological Explanation:
“the strengthening of connections between neutrons
probably represents the neurobiological basis for
learning including language acquisition”
by Pulvermüller and Schumann
* Social/Psychological explanations:
- Kids are more motivated to acquire nativelike L2 skills
- Younger learners develop positive attitudes towards the L2 , its culture and speakers than
adults
- Kids can reach very high L2 skills from poor and simple input and interaction
-But – all but one of late learners that achieved scores within the range of child starters on
grammatical tests also scored high on a test of verbal analytical ability (DeKeysers’ study)
* Cognitive Explanations:
- According to “the less is more – hypothesis”
-> kids can focus and store limited input while adults desperately try to analyze complex input
- According to “the fundamental difference – hypothesis”
-> adult learners have no longer access to the inborn language acquisition device (intrinsic
components)
The Sensitive Period Hypothesis (SPH):
“ a progressive inefficiency of the organism, or a gradually declining
effectiveness of the peripheral input”
(Eubank and Gregg, 1999)
->
->
->
a period in which the acquisition of a language is more complicated than in CPH
both, CPH and SPH, are often used interchangeable
share the fact of a heightened sensitivity for natural language input in an early phase of life
Maturational Constraints in L2 acquisition
1. Definition:
MC =
-
L2 learning abilities decrease with increasing age
Adult L2 learners reaching high proficiency -> often admired
Child L2 learners not doing well -> often regarded as failure
Both are deviations from “unspoken norm“
Confusion in MC research, caused by researchers basing their
Work on completely different interpretations of CPH and by
Different definitions of “language”.
2. Studies and Theories:
2.1 Lenneberg (1967)
- 3 conceptualizations
1. “Nativelike proficiency can be achieved by mere exposure to any given language [given certain
circumstances]”
2. “Younger learners outperform older ones with respect to eventual outcome”
3. “Young learners are better at language learning”
2.2 Gleitman and Newport (1995)
- Children acquire language benefitting from biological predispositions “Significant aspects of language
development are dictated by our biology”
- One should assume that innate mechanisms help reaching perfection in L1 learning, even on basis of
reduced input
- Not experience alone – “Every learner is an isolate”
2.3 Krashen (1979)
- “Adults proceed through early stages of morphological and syntactic development faster than
children” (Time and exposure held constant)
- “Older children acquire faster than younger children”
- “Child starters outperform adult starters in the long run”
- Divided empirical studies in two categories: “initial rate” and “eventual attainment” to avoid
biologically determined constraints (see Gleitman and Newport)