Telicity in the Second Language

Telicity in the Second Language PDF Author: Roumyana Slabakova
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing
ISBN: 9027298203
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
The author combines a syntax-theoretical treatment of telicity marking and an empirical study of the second language acquisition of English telicity marking by native speakers of Bulgarian, a Slavic language. It is argued that Vendler’s lexical classes of verbs (states, activities, accomplishments and achievements) can be represented in four phrase structure templates, where lexical properties of the verb and of the object compositionally determine telicity. A parameterized distinction between English and Slavic aspect is proposed. The book addresses two major acquisition issues: (1) what is the nature of the initial hypothesis Bulgarian learners of English entertain regarding telicity marking (i.e., is there native language transfer)? (2) are adult learners capable of resetting the telicity marking parameter? Both L1 transfer and parameter resetting are experimentally supported. In addition, the study investigates the L2 acquisition of a cluster of complex predicate constructions, purportedly related to the telicity parameter in the grammatical competence and in child language acquisition of English.

Telicity in the Second Language

Telicity in the Second Language PDF Author: Roumyana Slabakova
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing
ISBN: 9027298203
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
The author combines a syntax-theoretical treatment of telicity marking and an empirical study of the second language acquisition of English telicity marking by native speakers of Bulgarian, a Slavic language. It is argued that Vendler’s lexical classes of verbs (states, activities, accomplishments and achievements) can be represented in four phrase structure templates, where lexical properties of the verb and of the object compositionally determine telicity. A parameterized distinction between English and Slavic aspect is proposed. The book addresses two major acquisition issues: (1) what is the nature of the initial hypothesis Bulgarian learners of English entertain regarding telicity marking (i.e., is there native language transfer)? (2) are adult learners capable of resetting the telicity marking parameter? Both L1 transfer and parameter resetting are experimentally supported. In addition, the study investigates the L2 acquisition of a cluster of complex predicate constructions, purportedly related to the telicity parameter in the grammatical competence and in child language acquisition of English.

Telicity in the Second Language

Telicity in the Second Language PDF Author: Roumyana Slabakova
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing
ISBN: 9789027224941
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
Annotation Slabakova (U. of Iowa) examines the second language acquisition of English telicity marking by native speakers of Bulgarian. Particular attention is paid to subtle differences between English and Slavic telic and atelic sentences. Slabakova contends that Vendler's lexical classes of verbs can be represented in four phrase structure templates, where lexical properties of the verb and of the object compositionally determine telicity. The text is a revised version of the author's Ph.D. thesis (1997, McGill U.) Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

Second Language Acquisition

Second Language Acquisition PDF Author: Roumyana Slabakova
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199687269
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 506

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Book Description
This textbook approaches second language acquisition from the perspective of generative linguistics. Roumyana Slabakova reviews and discusses paradigms and findings from the last thirty years of research in the field, focussing in particular on how the second or additional language is represented in the mind and how it is used in communication. The adoption and analysis of a specific model of acquisition, the Bottleneck Hypothesis, provides a unifying perspective.The book assumes some non-technical knowledge of linguistics, but important concepts are clearly introduced and defined throughout, making it a valuable resource not only for undergraduate andgraduate students of linguistics, but also for researchers in cognitive science and language teachers.

The Role of Formal Features in Second Language Acquisition

The Role of Formal Features in Second Language Acquisition PDF Author: Juana Liceras
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351540815
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 557

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Book Description
Using Chomsky's minimalist program as a framework, this volume explores the role of formal (or functional) features in current descriptions and accounts of language acquistion. In engaging, up-to-date articles, distinguished experts examine the role of features in current versions of generative grammar and in learnibility theory as it relates to native, non-native, and impaired acquisition.

Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar

Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar PDF Author: Lydia White
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521796477
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 338

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Book Description
Table of contents

Meaning in the Second Language

Meaning in the Second Language PDF Author: Roumyana Slabakova
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter
ISBN: 3110211513
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 341

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Book Description
This book reviews recent research on the second language acquisition of meaning with a view of establishing whether there is a critical period for the acquisition of compositional semantics. A modular approach to language architecture is assumed. The book addresses the Critical Period Hypothesis by examining the positive side of language development: it demonstrates which modules of the grammar are easy to acquire and are not subject to age effects. The Bottleneck Hypothesis is proposed, which argues that inflectional morphology and its features present the most formidable challenge, while syntax and phrasal semantics pose less difficulty to learners. Findings from the neurofunctional imaging (PET, fMRI) and electrophysiology (ERPs) of L2 comprehension are reviewed and critically examined. Since it is argued that experimental tasks in those studies are mostly in need of linguistic refinement, evidence from behavioral studies of L2 acquisition of semantics are brought to bear on comprehension modeling. Learning situations are divided into two types: those presenting learners with complex syntax, but simple semantics; and those offering complex semantic mismatches in simple syntactic contexts. The numerous studies of both types reviewed in the book indicate that there is no barrier to ultimate success in the acquisition of phrasal semantics.

Theoretical and Crosslinguistic Approaches to the Semantics of Aspect

Theoretical and Crosslinguistic Approaches to the Semantics of Aspect PDF Author: Susan D. Rothstein
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing
ISBN: 9027291586
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 466

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Book Description
The papers in this volume investigate the semantics of aspect from both a theoretical and a crosslinguistic point of view, in a wide range of languages from a number of different language families. The papers are all informed by the belief that a thorough exposure to the expression of aspect crosslinguistically is crucial for progress in understanding how the semantics of aspect works and what the semantic basis of aspectual distinctions is. The languages discussed include Russian, English, Dutch, Hebrew, Mandarin, Japanese and Kalaallisut. The issues discussed in this volume include the centrality of measuring and counting in an understanding of telicity; the importance of the singular/plural distinction in the study of aspect; the importance of homogeneity as a property of event types; the flexibility of lexical classes; and the interaction between expressions of aspect and the particular morphosyntactic structure of a language.

Tense, aspect and mood in first and second language acquisition

Tense, aspect and mood in first and second language acquisition PDF Author: Emmanuelle Labeau
Publisher: Rodopi
ISBN: 9401207186
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 229

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Book Description
Tense, aspect and mood have attracted much attention in the areas of both first and second language acquisition, but scholars in the two disciplines often fail to learn from each other. Western European languages have also been the focus of most studies, but there would be lessons to learn from less studied languages. This volume offers new insights on tense, aspect and mood by bringing together the findings of first and second language acquisition, and comparing child and adult, monolingual and multilingual learning processes that are approached from various theoretical points of view. In addition, it spans over a wide range of less studied languages (Bulgarian, Hebrew, Korean, Russian), and Western European languages are studied from new angles.

How Second Languages are Learned

How Second Languages are Learned PDF Author: Roger Hawkins
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108475035
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 349

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Book Description
A comprehensive introduction to second language learning for newcomers to the field, with frequent summaries and supporting activities.

Explorations in Second Language Acquisition and Processing

Explorations in Second Language Acquisition and Processing PDF Author: James Corbet
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1527530825
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
This book presents cutting-edge research on the nature of grammatical systems developed by bilinguals and second language learners, as well as how speakers put these grammatical systems to use in processing language. The chapters provide a stimulating mix of theoretical contributions and experimental designs addressing a variety of research questions, such as learnability and access to Universal Grammar, native language influence, variability, and what propels language development from one stage to the next. Bilingual development is a special highlight here. The linguistic domains investigated are also extremely diverse, and include morphology, syntax, and language processing, as well as the interfaces between syntax and semantics and between syntax and discourse. The book covers the acquisition of an impressive number of languages including Arabic, Croatian, Chinese, English, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish as first or second languages. Through these diverse contributions, the reader will be able to identify and follow important new directions in which generative language acquisition is developing and expanding.