英语语言学

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Chapter 10 Language Acquisition 1. Try to explain the terms: Language acquisition

Language Acquisition Device Critical Period Hypothesis,

答： Language acquisition refers to the child's acquisition of his mother tongue, i.e. how the child comes to understand and speak the language of his community.

Language Acquisition Device, (also known as LAD). The LAD was described as an imaginary “black box” existing somewhere in the human brain. The “black box” is said to contain principles that are universal to all human languages. Children need access to the samples of a natural language to activate the LAD, which enables them to discover his language's structure by matching the innate knowledge of basic grammatical system to that particular language.

Closely related to the external language environment, age is another factor that is worth mentioning in first language acquisition. Observed that children's ability to develop normal behaviors and knowledge in environments does not continue indefinitely end that children who have never learned language (for various reasons) cannot return to normal if these deprivations go on for too long, Eric Lenneberg, a biologist, argued that the LAD, like other biological functions, works successfully only when it is stimulated at the right time –– a specific and limited time period for language acquisition –– which is referred to as the Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH). There are two versions of the CPH. While the strong one suggests that children must acquire their first language by puberty or they will never be able to learn from subsequent exposure, the weak holds that language learning will be more difficult and incomplete after puberty.

2. Among the language acquisition theories mentioned in this chapter, which one do you think is more reasonable and convincing? Explain why.

答： The language acquisition theories mentioned in this chapter have different emphasis on different aspects. Behaviorists view sounds reasonable in explaining the routine aspects, the innatist accounts most plausible in explaining children's acquiring complex system, and the interactive description convincing in understanding how children learn and use the language appropriately from their environment. In my opinion, behaviorists view is more reasonable and convincing because language acquisition is a process of enforcing and reinforcing. Only through this process can a person learn a language well.

3. Which of the following statements are TRUE and which are FALSE? Why? a) All normal children have equal ability in learning their first language. b) It is easy for parents to teach their children grammar.

c) The young child is not taught to speak, or to understand his language. There is no formal learning of grammar or pronunciation practice. d) At first children do not inflect nouns or verbs.

e) Children learn their native language well whenever they start and whatever kinds of language samples they receive.

f) For a child to acquire his mother tongue the most basic requirement is that he hears people speaking this language. He will then begin to learn the language.

g) Phonology and grammar are finite, tightly structured systems, the child must master them before puberty in order to be a native speaker of the language. 答：a) True, because of LAD.


b) False, because children's grammatical development is gradual and some subtle grammatical distinctions may not be mastered much before the age of ten. c) True, because his language is acquired.

d) True, because at the very beginning, children's language is totally about content. e) False, because of CPH.

f) True, because when a child acquires his native language he needs language environment. g) True, because of CPH.

4. Each of the following utterances comes from the speech of a child in the two-word state. Identify the semantic relation expressed by each of these utterances Intended meaning Child’s utterance a) Jimmy is swimming? Jimmy swim b) Ken’s book Ken book c) Daddy is at his office. Daddy office d) You push the babies. Push baby e) Mommy is reading. Mommy read 答：(略)

Chapter 11 Second Language Acquisition

1. To what extent is second language learning similar to first language learning? Can you list some proof from your own learning experiences?

答：(1) From a theoretical point of view, the new findings and advances in first language acquisition especially in learning theories and learning process are illuminating in understanding second language acquisition. The techniques used to collect and analyze date in first language acquisition also provide insights and perspectives in the study of second language acquisition. For example, we started to learn our native language from listening, and then speaking. (2) (略)

2. Try to observe yourself and pay attention to your own learning experience, what conclusions can you reach about the role of Chinese in your English learning? On what occasions are you more likely to use or depend on Chinese in learning or using English? 答：(略)

3. Identify the errors in the following sentences and trace the possible cause for each error. a) Please do not hinder my work.

b) –– Would you mind lending me your tape-recorder? –– Yes, certainly.

c) During the meeting we discussed about the research project. d) Alison is in poor health. She is easy to catch cold.

e) Tile light can impress the film and in this way to fix the image of the film. f) The scenery is too beautiful to describe it. 答：a) Please do not hinder me in my work. (negative transfer)

b) –– Would you mind lending me your tape-recorder? –– No, I don't. (negative transfer)


c) During the meeting we discussed the research project. (overgeneralization)

d) Alison is in poor health. She catches cold easily. (overgeneralization)

e) The light can impress the film and in this way can fix the image of the film. (negative transfer)

f) The scenery is too beautiful to describe. (cross-association)

4. Based on your own experience, give at least three examples which are related to overgeneralization and performance errors. 答：Overgeneralization: * I losed the game. * There are ten sheeps. * I was devoted to do this job.

5. What kind of a language learner you are? Have you ever thought of why and how you learn English? 答：(略)

6. List the learning strategies you use frequently, and then compare that with the strategy listed in 11. 8. 答：(略)

7. Identify personality factors that may contribute to the success of learning a second/foreign language.

答： The personality traits such as extroversion, talkativeness, self-esteem, self-confidence may contribute to the success of learning a second/foreign language.

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