On the evidence for maturational constraints in second-language acquisition
On the evidence for maturational constraints in second-language acquisition
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DOI：
10.1006/jmla.2000.2750
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发表时间：
2001-02-01
影响因子：
4.3
通讯作者：
Molis, M
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Birdsong, D;Molis, M
第二语言（L2）习得通常被认为受到自然因素的限制，这些因素限制了达到母语水平的关键时期。与成熟观点一致的是，在假定的关键时期结束之前而不是之后开始二语习得的学习者的年龄效应。同样有利于成熟解释的是，在渐近线上表现得像母语者的晚二语学习者的稀缺，以及母语和目标语言配对的微弱影响。Johnson和Newport（1989）对韩国和中国的英语学习者进行的实验研究得出了这些类型的证据。然而，随后的一些研究并不支持第二语言习得限制的关键时期理论。因此，我们复制了Johnson和Newport（1989）的实验，使用了原始实验的确切方法和材料，并使用了西班牙当地人的样本（n = 61）。根据最近的研究，第二语言的成就与学习年龄呈负相关，即使学习是在假定的关键时期结束后开始的。我们还发现了一些证据，表明晚学习者的成就与母语相近。我们的数据进一步表明，二语习得的结果可能取决于L1-L2配对和二语使用。(C) 2001学术出版社。
Second-language (L2) acquisition is generally thought to be constrained by maturational factors that circumscribe a critical period for nativelike attainment. Consistent with the maturational view are age effects among learners who begin L2 acquisition prior to, but not after, closure of the putative critical period. Also favoring the maturational account is the scarcity of late L2 learners at asymptote who perform like natives, and weak effects of native language-target language pairings. With Korean and Chinese learners of English, the experimental study of Johnson and Newport (1989) yielded just these types of evidence. Some subsequent studies do not support the critical period account of L2 acquisition constraints, however. Accordingly, we undertook a replication of Johnson and Newport (1989), using the exact methods and materials of the original experiment, and a sample of Spanish natives (n = 61). In keeping with recent research, L2 attainment negatively correlates with age of learning even if learning commences after the presumed end of the critical period. We also find modest evidence of nativelike attainment among late learners. Our data further suggest that the outcome of L2 acquisition may depend on L1-L2 pairings and L2 use. (C) 2001 Academic Press.