Universal Grammar and Second Language Acquisition (Language Acquisition and Language Disorders)

This book explores the relationship between linguistic universals and second language acquisition. Although no knowledge of generative grammar is presupposed, the theoretical framework underlying the work is the principles and parameters approach to Universal Grammar (UG), as realized in Chomsky's Government and Binding theory.
In recent research, the question has arisen as to whether the principles and parameters of UG remain available in language acquisition that is non-primary. Within second language acquisition theorizing, hypotheses have ranged from UG playing no role at all to UG operating exactly as in primary language acquisition. In this work the theoretical arguments and data from the whole spectrum are reviewed.

This authoritative textbook provides an overview and analysis of current second language acquisition research conducted within the generative linguistic framework. It argues for a role for Universal Grammar in second language acquisition. Theories as to the role of Universal Grammar and the extent of language transfer are presented and discussed, together with relevant empirical research. Properties of early grammars and grammars during the course of development are examined, as well as the nature of the final outcome of the acquisition process.