Ling 360: Midterm #1 Flashcards
Property vs transition theory
Property theory: modelling the nature of the language system that is to be acquired
Transition theory: modelling the change and developmental processes of language acquisition; can be general or look at a specific stage
Theory
Abstract set of claims about the entities which are significant within the phenomenon under study, their relationships and the processes that bring about change (aims for description and explanation)
Should be testable and falsifiable
Engagement with other theories in the field
Main criticisms of research for SLL
- too much focus on individual, not enough on sociocultural influences
- research too broad (Long)
Chomsky’s argument about grammar and meaning?
They are independent
Firths claim about grammar and lexis
They are independent
What is an imperfect reflection of competence and why?
Language performance data because language production has many mistakes
Can language competence be studied directly? What tests can we use?
Only indirectly through sentence-completion, eye tracking and grammaticality judgement tests (sample sentences to which they say are grammatical or not)
Firths opinion on performance and competence
He says they are not separate and the only option is to study language in use
Formalist vs functionalist models of language
Formalist: language is made up of elements that are combined by sets of rules or procedures (semantics is part of this)
Functionalist: research and theorizing must start with the communicative functions of a language; trying to explain the structure of language as a reflection of meaning making
Chomsky vs others (language target)
Chomsky: assumption that native speaker competence provides a single target for L2 development
Others: variability within native speaker language usage, no specific target (just lingua Franca)
Interlanguage
L2 as its own language system, not a copy of the TL (in between in transition to native like target)
skinner vs Chomsky in the language learning process
Skinner: language taught to children using same learning mechanisms as learning anything else (aka behaviourist theory of learning by repetition and reward)
Chomsky: said human language too complex to be learning completely from performance data, we must have innate abilities (aka universal grammar)
Universal grammar created by
Chomsky
Modular vs unitary views of cognition
Modular: bundles of modules that are responsible for different types of knowledge ex: language module (Chomsky)
Unitary: brain is a single flexible organism with one general set of procedures for learning and storing knowledge (Piaget)
The four different possibilities of distinctive learning mechanisms exist
1- make L2 learning possible in the same way that L1 learning is done (Krashen in the 1970s)
2- after acquiring the L1 in early childhood this mechanism stops working and L2s must be learned by other means
3- mechanism no longer available but L2 can be learned by copying model of natural language
4- mechanisms still available but only partially and must be helped by other means (in case of UG, some modules available and others not)
Information processing perspective of language learning
JR. Anderson
Declarative vs procedural forms of knowledge
Connectionism
Associative (neo behaviourist) theory that have been revived; statistical learning
Absorption of statistical regularities in environment through implicit learning mechanisms)
How were errors viewed in L2 learning in the mid twentieth century?
Under influence of behaviourist learning theory, errors were viewed as consequences of bad habits which could be fixed by repetition activities like pattern drilling
Developmental stages of language learning
Primitive like L2 towards target like L2
For example, development of negative particle (first putting it at the beginning of sentence, then inserted into verb phrase, then learn negation morphology
Therefore L2 learning follows a common route with diff speeds for everyone (systematicity)
Three main characteristics of Interlanguage
Systematicity
Variability
Creativity
Word for a memorizing chunk
Formulaic sequence
Fossilization
Stabilizing an alternative language system (errors) that cannot be changed, no matter how much practice
When goal of native fluency not reached
Incomplete success
Two explanations for incomplete success
1- pyscholinguistic: learning mechanisms that children use are no longer available or partially unavailable and no amount of effort can recreate them
2- sociolinguistic: older L2 learners don’t have the social opportunities or motivation to identify with native speaker community and instead value their own identity as learners (lingua Franca)
Language transfer and how it was viewed in the 60s/70s compared to now
UG perspective on this?
Behaviourists 1950s/60s= transfer important as bad habits
Interlanguage 1970s= downplayed transfer, focus on creativity
UG perspective: direct access=L1 only has peripheral influence but indirect access= L1 influence is key
Krashens belief of input (80s)
Input is all that is necessary for L2 learning
Two types of variability
Within the learner: using grammatically correct and incorrect utterances interchangeably for a period of time
Across different learners: due to type of instruction, learners L1, individual differences
What’s it called when learners make use of memorized, unanalyzed utterances
Routines or prefabrication
Acquisition of grammatical competence includes 4 areas
L2 phonology, syntax, morphology and vocab
Describe acquisition of L2 phonology
Adult L2 speech is accented as a result of phonetic transfer from their L1
Describe L2 syllabication
Languages vary in the type of syllable structure they permit
Ex: english allows consonant clusters in onset and coda position
What is stress assignment
L2 learners must learn stress patterns of the new language
Positive vs negative evidence
Positive evidence= hearing grammatical utterances
Negative evidence= not hearing anyone say something a certain way, thus deeming it ungrammatical
What do english learners learn first, ing or ed?
Ing
Four aspects of communicative competence
Grammatical (grammar knowledge) textual (how sentences link together), illocutionary (understanding intent or function of utterance), and sociolinguistic (knowing how to use it in a social context)
Critical period
Particular time frame in which learners have to be exposed to the language to have a fully successful acquisition process
Before age 7= native
Between= variation
After 14= not native
Why do younger learners need less effort to learn a language?
Changes in brain
Learning style (intuitive vs analytical)
Inhibition
What’s earlier: critical period for grammar or pronunciation?
Pronunciation
Who’s has more initial speed in learning, younger or older?
Older
Cognitive vs affective factors in L2 learning
Cognitive= mechanics of learning so aptitude and learning strategies Affective= emotional side of learning so language attitudes, motivation, confidence, anxiety, willingness to communicate
What is language aptitude and what test can test it
It’s a gift for second language learning (different from general intelligence)
MLAT (modern language aptitude test)
Tests phonetic coding ability, grammatical sensitivity, inductive language learning ability and associative memory abilities
Six types of language learning strategies and examples for each
Memory strategy (creating mental images) Cognitive strategy (practice) Compensation strategy (adjusting the message) Metacognitive strategy (setting goals) Affective strategy (rewards) Social strategy (asking for clarification)
Two main types of motivation
Integrative= open and accepting attitude towards the L2 language community Instrumental= concrete benefits like a job
Field dependant vs field independent
Field independent= see details without being distracted by big picture; better at grammar accuracy tests but slow/bad rhythm during speech
Field dependant= more focus on big picture; better at fluency tests but bad grammar
What is the recent turn in SLA research?
Looking at L2 learner as a social being, sociolinguistic factors (not just psycholinguistic or individualist perspective)
Describe SLA research in the 50s and 60s
Structuralism
Learning spoken L2 meant acquiring appropriate speech habits
Graded syllabus of structural patterns to ensure step by step systematic process
Grammar taught through presentation and practice
Errors should be avoided through practice and rehearsal
Tied to behaviourism (dominant mainstream learning theory at the time)
Behaviourism
Learning= formation of habits
Repeated reinforcement causes a certain stimulus to create the same response every time, making a habit
Says that the more similar the structure to your L1, the easier to learn
Teaching= practice makes perfect, drilling, focus on Contrastive Analysis
Contrastive analysis (CA)
Comparing properties of L1/L2 to see where difficulties may be found
Popular approach in 60s and 70s
Contrastive analysis hypothesis:
Strong= result of comparison predicts areas of difficult (no longer valid)
Weak= comparison can be used to help understand some Interlanguage errors
Inductive vs deductive learning
Inductive- students get many examples and figure out how the concept works based on that (specific to general)
Deductive- teacher explains concept and students practice it (general to specific)
6 learner processes (contrastive analysis)
Transfer=no difference (many sounds found in both languages)
Coalescence=two forms in L1 but one in L2 (shade and shadow have one german word)
Under differentiation=item found in L1 but not in L2 (I am playing/I play= same sentence in german aka no aspect)
Reinterpretation=item from L1 used differently in L2 (how are you needs no answer in one language but needs answer in English)
Over differentiation=item not found in L1 but found in L2 (nouns have gender in L2 but not L1)
Split=one form in L1 but two in L2 (to know has two words in german)