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Universals and Second Language Acquisition

Some Comments on the State of Current Theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2008

Susanne Carroll  and
Jürgen M. Meisel
Susanne Carroll
Affiliation:
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Jürgen M. Meisel
Affiliation:
Universität Hamburg
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Abstract

On the basis of a critical analysis of the articles in this issue, we argue for a shift in emphasis in the investigation of universals in second language acquisition (SLA). To construct a psycholinguistically plausible theory of acquisition, research must proceed simultaneously on a number of different fronts: the elaboration of (a) a theory of computation consistent with human biology, (b) a theory of structural universals and variation, (c) a theory of meaning, and (d) a theory of pragmatics which must tie in with both a theory of cognitive development and a theory of sociocultural knowledge. None of the theories popular at present address all of these issues. We suggest that there is much room for consensus, but that achieving it will require keeping an eye firmly focused on the long-term objectives.

Type
Commentraies
Information
Studies in Second Language Acquisition , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , June 1990 , pp. 201 - 208
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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