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Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar
This authoritative textbook provides an overview and analysis of current second
language acquisition research conducted within the generative linguistic frame-
work. Lydia White argues that second language acquisition is constrained by prin-
ciples and parameters of Universal Grammar. The book focuses on characterizing
and explaining the underlying petence of second language learners
in terms of these contraints. Theories as to the role of Universal Grammar and the
extent of mother-tongue influence are presented and discussed, with particular
consideration given to the nature of the interlanguage grammar at different points
in development, from the initial state to the ultimate attainment. Throughout the
book, hypotheses maintaining that second language grammars are constrained
by universal principles are contrasted with claims that Universal Grammar is not
implicated; relevant empirical research is presented from both sides of the debate.
This textbook is essential reading for those studying second language acquisition
from a linguistic perspective.
lydia white is Professor of Linguistics at McGill University, Montr´eal, and
Chair of the Linguistics Department. She is internationally known as a leading
expert on second language acquisition. She is the author of Universal Grammar
and Second Language Acquisition (John Benjamins, 1989) and publishes regu-
larly in major international journals on language acquisition.
CAMBRIDGE TEXTBOOKS IN LINGUISTICS
General editors: p. austin, j. bresnan, b. comrie,
w. dressler, c. j. ewen, r. huddleston, r. lass,
d. lightfoot, i. roberts, s. romaine, n. v. smith,
n. vincent
Second Language Acquisition
and Universal Grammar
In this series
p. h. matthews Morphology Second edition
b. comrie Aspect
r. m. kempson Semantic Theory
t. bynon Historical Linguistics
j. allwood, l.-g. anderson and o.¨ dahl Logic in Linguistics