Language Acquisition: The Age Factor (Multilingual Matters 47) - Softcover

Singleton, D. M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1853590193 ISBN 13: 9781853590191

Publisher: Multilingual Matters Ltd, 1989

Synopsis

There is a widespread belief, both in the scientific world and in society at large, that the way in which and the extent to which one learns a language is dependent on one's age. In discussions of first language acquisition reference is constantly made to the notions of 'speech milestones' -- predictable age-related stages -- and 'critical period' -- a phase of 'language readiness' before and beyond which language acquisition is claimed to be impossible or very difficult. This latter concept is also widely referred to in connection with second language acquisition, albeit sometimes in the more tentative terms of 'optimal period' or 'sensitive period'. This book sets out to examine the evidence for an age factor in language acquisition, the sources of which range from studies of 'wolf-children' to research into the mental capacities of the very old. It goes on to explore the various explanations that have been advanced to account for such evidence and the interplay between the age question and broader theoretical issues. On a more practical note, the last major section of the book looks at the educational ramifications of the age question, with particular regard to formal second language teaching.

About this title

About the Author

David Singleton is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at the Centre for Language and Communication Studies, Trinity College Dublin. He belongs to a wide range of research networks and has been particularly active in the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics, the Association Internationale de Linguistique Appliquée and the European Second Language Association. His recent publications have focused on cross-linguistic influence, the L2 lexicon and the topic of the present volume, the age factor in language acquisition.Lisa Ryan is completing a PhD in Child Language Acquisition at Trinity College Dublin. Her current post is that of Principal Speech and Language Therapist for Community Care in Area 7 of the Northern Area Health Board, Dublin. She is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and also sits on the Education Committee and the Publications Committee of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists.

Review

Hult and King conduct here a masterful choir of voices that deepen our understandings of Nancy Hornberger’s impressive contributions to educational linguistics. By providing diverse local grounding to global issues of language and education, these different voices are raised to honor Hornberger, choirmaster par excellence, in praise of her complex views on the continua of biliteracy, bilingualism and bilingual education, and policy for language diversity in education. The result is a lucid volume that will become essential reading in educational linguistics.

(Ofelia García, City University of New York, USA)

Edition details

• Publisher: Multilingual Matters Ltd
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 1853590193
• ISBN 13: 9781853590191
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 336