This study investigates whether second language (L2) phonological learning can be characterized as a gradual and systematically patterned replacement of nonnative segments by native segments in learners' speech, conforming to a two-stage implicational scale. We adopt a dynamic approach to language variation based on Gatbonton's (1975, 1978)…

Investigates the drawing of two types of inferences in English as a second language--presuppositions and implications--from English sentences containing factive and implicative predicates. Results show (1) better comprehension of implied meaning over presupposed meaning, (2) better performance on semantically positive predicative then on…

Examines the production of yes/no questions by native speakers of English and speakers of Singapore English, a non-native regional variety. The findings suggest that what constitutes target-like use remains ill-defined as long as native speaker behavior is assumed, or intuited, rather than documented. (40 references) (GLR)

Summarizes claims made in three studies that adopt a morphological approach to nonnative speaker-native speaker divergence. Examines these claims in terms of the morphological and syntactic theories presupposed and points to a number of problems. (Author/VWL)

Provides a description of passing for a native speaker as a form of second language (L2) ability. Discusses ethnographic research into success in second language learning and explains why other approaches tend to identify a significantly lower incidence of high-level achievement. Data suggest age of exposure to the target language is less crucial…

Researchers who assume that Universal Grammar (UG) plays a role in second language (L2) acquisition are still debating whether L2 learners have access to UG in its entirety (the Full Access hypothesis; e.g. Schwartz and Sprouse, 1994; 1996; White, 1989; 2003) or only to those aspects of UG that are instantiated in their first language (L1) grammar…

Although Keenan and Comrie's (1977) noun phrase accessibility hierarchy (NPAH) has been shown to predict the difficulty order of relative clauses (RCs) in SLA, most studies of the NPAH have been on European languages. This paper tests the prediction for Japanese. Study 1 analyzes RCs in an oral interview corpus from 90 learners of Japanese at four…

An alphabetical working list of about 1,000 languages that have appeared in the linguistic research of the Center for Applied Linguistics in the last 15 years is presented. A standard name for each language is provided, with an indication of alternative names for the language and the geographic location of the native speakers. An explanation for…

This article discusses monodirectional bilingual dictionaries, which are more efficient than bidirectional ones because they address the native speaker of only one of the languages in question and eliminate redundant information, such as pronunciation conventions which the native speaker is already aware of. (CLK)

A semantic feature analysis was used with native speakers of different language families to test the universality of certain aspects of sentence interpretation. (Author/AM)

Describes a study designed to examine variables influencing the way native speakers talk to foreigners and the form native speaker modification may take. Considers five variables: (1) negotiation of meaning, (2) quantity of speech, (3) amount of repair, (4) elaborated responses, and (5) transparent responses. (SED)

Experimentally manipulated differences in mental state can systematically alter the linguistic intuitions which speakers render about acceptability of sentences. The processes underlying intuitions must be taken into consideration when they are used as empirical data to test grammatical theories. A theory of introspection must be part of the…

Describes the procedures followed in obtaining samples of spoken French in five different dialectal areas of the Vaud Canton. Analyses these samples for certain vocalic and consonantal features and classifies the data along a rigidity-flexibility scale correlated with individual hesitation and group fluctuation. (MES)

Reports on an experiment in native speaker judgement of acceptability, designed to test the acceptability of variations on the time-manner-place order in German adverbs. Implications for teaching German are drawn. (AM)

Investigates the acquisition of Spanish word order by native speakers of English. Specifically considers the development of sensitivity to the distinct interpretations of subject-verb vs. verb-subject order as determined by lexical verb class and discourse structure. (Author/VWL)