The theoretical The theoretical significance of UG in significance of UG in

second language second language acquisitionacquisition

The theoretical The theoretical significance of UG in significance of UG in

second language second language acquisitionacquisition

Present by Esther, Karen, MeiPresent by Esther, Karen, Mei

The relationship between UG and POS

• What is POS and examples • Why we are talking about POS

and UG

The relationship between UG and POS

• What is POS and examples “poverty of the stimulus” →the environment does not give one

enough information, but one seems to know it

The relationship between UG and POS

• What is POS and examples EX ： Learner hears ： She is coming. She’s coming.

Is she coming? Yes, she is. Is she coming? Yes, she’s.

The relationship between UG and POS

• Why we are talking about POS and UG

L1 → POS → UG ↓ L2 → POS → UG

II 、、 UG and the significance oUG and the significance of L2-L1 differences f L2-L1 differences

II 、、 UG and the significance oUG and the significance of L2-L1 differences f L2-L1 differences

By EstherBy Esther

The definition of The definition of UGUG

The definition of The definition of UGUG

The innate principles and properties that The innate principles and properties that pertain to the grammars of all human pertain to the grammars of all human

languages.languages.

Whether UG is involved in SLA (post-childhood)

1.Fundamental differences developmental differences between

L2 and L1 learners

L1→ the onset of acquisitionL1→ the onset of acquisition

→ → subsequent developmentsubsequent development

L2→ apparent fossilization prior to L2→ apparent fossilization prior to the the

achievement of full target-like achievement of full target-like

behaviorbehavior

The differences The differences between L2 and L1 between L2 and L1

learnerslearners

The differences The differences between L2 and L1 between L2 and L1

learnerslearners

2.Systems of 2.Systems of grammatical grammatical

competencecompetence

2.Systems of 2.Systems of grammatical grammatical

competencecompetence

Whether UG is involved in SLA (post-childhood)

• Types of POS argument ： → Argument 1 Locality constraints on wh-phrase movement in L2 grammars (Martohardjona)

BUT…………. In the case of locality constraints there is no

positive evidence in the input bearing on the matter

→Argument 2 An interlanguage is found in one of the world's language (Schwartz &Sprouse)

Whether UG is involved in SLA (post-childhood)

3.Difference- oriented A more compelling reason for UG-based research

→ explain L2-L1differences

IIII 、、 UG, SLA, and explanationUG, SLA, and explanationIIII 、、 UG, SLA, and explanationUG, SLA, and explanation

By KarenBy Karen

1. The limitation of POS Studies

• Schwartz & Sprouse’s proposal

Although Schwartz&Sprouse describe different

kind of POS phenomena but their account does not advance our understanding of UG.

2. Difference-oriented Approach

• full access to UG1) a theory of performance 2) a theory of interaction of input and acquisition → SLA would provide a different kind of window on UG

3. EvidenceResearch 1 ： • Chinese speakers overt movement is not involved

• Chinese speakers’ English grammars involve a different kind of wh-movement from syntactic feature – driven movement

Research 2 ：

• an example of “selective fossilization” in the L2 English of a Chinese speaker described (Lardiere 1998a; 1998b; 2000)

Conclusion

• POS does have relationship with UG • Differences-oriented

The End…