Gourt > Science > Social Sciences > Linguistics > Applied Linguistics > Language Acquisition
Language acquisition is the process by which language develops in humans. First language acquisition concerns the development of language in children, while second language acquisition focuses on language development in adults as well. Historically, theories and theorists may have emphasized either nature or nurture (see Nature versus nurture) as the most important explanatory factor for acquisition.
Most researchers, however, acknowledge the importance of both biology and environment. One hotly debated issue is whether the biological contribution includes language-specific capacities, often described as Universal Grammar. For fifty years linguists Noam Chomsky and the late Eric Lenneberg strongly argued for the hypothesis that children have innate, language-specific abilities that facilitate and constrain language learning.
Other researchers, including Elizabeth Bates, Catherine Snow, and Michael Tomasello, have hypothesized that language learning results only from general cognitive abilities and the interaction between learners and their surrounding communities. Recent work by William O'Grady proposes that complex syntactic phenomena result from an efficiency-driven, linear computational system. O'Grady describes his work as "nativism without Universal Grammar". One of the most important advances in the study of language acquisition was the creation of the CHILDES database by Brian MacWhinney and Catherine Snow.
More on [ Language acquisition ]
English as a Second Language :: English
Bilingual Education :: K through 12
Psycholinguistics :: Linguistics
We are seeking motivated students to assist with research in language acquisition. Min. 8-10 hrs per week. http://bit.ly/8zwDIH
meertensinst (Meertens Instituut) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:08:43 -0000
We are seeking motivated students to assist with research in language acquisition. Min. 8-10 hrs per week. http://bit.ly/8zwDIH
Paper on how 'feral children' prove the critical period of the acquisition of language, but also how language is innate.....yeahh
blu3eyes (Brittany Burke) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:01:51 -0000
Paper on how 'feral children' prove the critical period of the acquisition of language, but also how language is innate.....yeahh
BX Language acquisition пÑоÑÑенÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð½Ð¾ оÑÐµÐ½Ñ ÑÐ´Ð¾Ð±Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð¿ÑогÑамма Ð´Ð»Ñ language tutorial
ukrwebhead (Andrey Nosenko) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:47:00 -0000
BX Language acquisition простенькая но очень удобная программа для language tutorial
bank teller heard me mutter a comment on Gestalt & very excitedly turned a rote errand into conversation on language teaching & acquisition.
lioneltiger (Cailin) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:29:08 -0000
bank teller heard me mutter a comment on Gestalt & very excitedly turned a rote errand into conversation on language teaching & acquisition.
David Ingram "First Language Acquisition: Method, Description and Explanation" Cambridge Unive.. http://twurl.nl/bof5x2 #GKiA
gkia (cSuper GKiAi+;,) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:41:57 -0000
David Ingram "First Language Acquisition: Method, Description and Explanation" Cambridge Unive.. http://twurl.nl/bof5x2 #GKiA
Paul Fletcher, Michael Garman "Language Acquisition: Studies in First Language Development" Ca.. http://twurl.nl/q5rhav #GKiA
gkia (cSuper GKiAi+;,) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:11:36 -0000
Paul Fletcher, Michael Garman "Language Acquisition: Studies in First Language Development" Ca.. http://twurl.nl/q5rhav #GKiA
A Concept of 'Critical Period' for Language Acquistion - A paper discussing the implications of a 'critical period' of language acquisition for adult language learning.
A Discussion of Language Acquistion Theories - Descriptions of eight of the different language acquisition theories, and their relevance to both first and second language acquistion.
Meta Description: [ discussion of SLA theories, language acquisition theories, l1, l2, turkish, language teaching, kiymazarslan ]
Association for Language Learning - Organization representing teachers of all languages in the United Kingdom. Includes news, publications, membership information.
Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition-University of Minnesota. - Supports a number of coordinated programs of research, training, development, and dissemination of information related to second language teaching, learning and assessment.
EuroSLA: European Second Language Association - Conferences, publication and subscription information, links.
Feral Children - Critical Period Hypothesis - Several useful papers, including Locke's suggesting the term 'sensitive period' instead of 'critical period', and Jones' looking at Genie's language acquisition after the critical period.
Meta Description: [ What feral children can teach us about the hypothesis of a critical period for first language acquisition. ]
Hayo Reinders - Applied linguist offering various resources related to the noticing hypothesis, learner autonomy and Computer Assisted Language Learning.
Meta Description: [ This site contains information about and articles/downloads on Learner Autonomy, Self-Access Language Learning, Computer-Assisted Language Learning, Noticing in Second Language Acquisition and related topics. By Hayo Reinders. ]
Language Acquisition - Draft version of a paper on this subject by Steven Pinker.
Language Acquisition - Wikipedia - A useful brief overview of some of the current theories of language acquisition, with references to Chomsky, Lenneberg and the evidence from feral children such as Genie.
Language Acquisition- Mama Teached Me Talk - How we learn language.
Second Language Acquisition Bibliography - A list of scholarly writings arranged by subtopic, maintained by Vivian Cook.
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Second Language Writing Research Network Forum - Website designed to provide resources for teachers and researchers of second language writing and to facilitate the exchange of information. Links to professional resources for second language writing teachers and researchers.
Meta Description: [ A website designed to promote research in second language writing by providing resources for teachers and researchers of second language writing. ]
Studies in Second Language Acquisition - Journal published by Cambridge University Press. Includes online indices and information for submitters and subscribers.
The International Commission on Second Language Acquisition (ICOSLA) - Scientific organization set up to provide a worldwide forum for the development of SLA research. Provides archive and links to online resources.
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