Doctoral Dissertation Research: Binding Interpretations in Adult Bilingualism:

一项重要的研究表明，语言学习受到大脑预先确定的属性的限制，这种属性被称为通用语法。虽然普遍语法在第一语言习得中的作用是公认的，但普遍语法是否以及如何涉及到其他语言的学习仍然存在争议。本研究考察了通用语法在两组双语者较弱语言的习得和维持中所涉及的程度。第一组是母语为英语和汉语的青春期后韩语学习者。第二类是在英语和汉语国家长大的朝鲜族。对于这两个群体来说，韩国语是较弱的语言，因为它是一种较晚获得的语言，或者因为它不是社区的主导语言。这个项目将重点研究反身代词的分布和解释。这三种语言共享一个重要的核心属性，但也有一些有趣的不同之处。通过研究说话者如何处理自反代词系统中的异同，研究人员可以探讨通用语法在不同类型双语者中的作用。

An important body of research shows that language learning is constrained by pre-determined properties of the brain, called Universal Grammar. While the role of Universal Grammar is accepted in the acquisition of first language, it is still controversial whether and how Universal Grammar is implicated in the learning of additional languages. This study examines the extent to which Universal Grammar is implicated in the acquisition and maintenance of the weaker language of two groups of bilinguals. The first group is composed of post-puberty learners of Korean who are native speakers of English and Chinese. The second is composed of heritage speakers of Korean who grew up in English and Chinese-speaking countries. For both groups, Korean is the weaker language, either because it is the language acquired late or because it is not the dominant language of the community. This project will focus on the distribution and interpretation of reflexive pronouns. The three languages share an important core of properties, but also differ in interesting ways. By investigating how the similarities and differences in the system of reflexive pronouns are negotiated by speakers, researchers can investigate the role of Universal Grammar in different types of bilinguals.