“L” Stands for Language
“L” Stands for Language
A key premise of a transdisciplinary perspective on SLA, as articulated by the Douglas Fir Group (2016), is the usage-based approach to language acquisition. In this commentary, I make the case for a generative linguistic theory-based approach to language acquisition. While both approaches are at the cognitive core of the development process, I show that experience-based predictions are sometimes challenged by theory-based predictions. I argue that while experience with language is responsible for the bulk of acquisition, there are cases where a grammar-based theory provides superior explanations. In addition, the generative framework presents a holistic, organic picture of speaker competence while also offering explanations of why performance may under-represent competence.
Competence, Performance, Processing, generative approaches to sla, linguistic input
152-160
Slabakova, Roumyana
1bda11ce-ce3d-4146-8ae3-4a486b6f5bde
16 January 2019
Slabakova, Roumyana
1bda11ce-ce3d-4146-8ae3-4a486b6f5bde
Slabakova, Roumyana
(2019)
“L” Stands for Language.
The Modern Language Journal, 103 (Supplement 2019), .
(doi:10.1111/modl.12528).
Abstract
A key premise of a transdisciplinary perspective on SLA, as articulated by the Douglas Fir Group (2016), is the usage-based approach to language acquisition. In this commentary, I make the case for a generative linguistic theory-based approach to language acquisition. While both approaches are at the cognitive core of the development process, I show that experience-based predictions are sometimes challenged by theory-based predictions. I argue that while experience with language is responsible for the bulk of acquisition, there are cases where a grammar-based theory provides superior explanations. In addition, the generative framework presents a holistic, organic picture of speaker competence while also offering explanations of why performance may under-represent competence.
Text
L stands for Language
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 1 November 2018
e-pub ahead of print date: 16 January 2019
Published date: 16 January 2019
Additional Information:
Supplement: SLA Across Disciplinary Borders: New Perspectives, Critical Questions, and Research Possibilities
Keywords:
Competence, Performance, Processing, generative approaches to sla, linguistic input
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 427642
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/427642
ISSN: 0026-7902
PURE UUID: 298fd5ba-b356-497d-81e5-59bdff26cbdc
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 24 Jan 2019 17:30
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 07:26
Export record
Altmetrics
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
