Book Cover
E-book
Author Meisel, Jürgen M., 1944- author

Title First and Second Language Acquisition : Parallels and Differences / Jürgen M. Meisel
Published Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2011, ©2011

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Description 1 online resource (xviii, 302 pages) : illustrations
Series Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics
Cambridge textbooks in linguistics
Contents 1. The quest for the LAD; 2. First language development -- Universal Grammar as the centerpiece of the human language making capacity; 3. Obvious (observable) similarities and differences between first and second language acquisition -- developmental sequences; 4. The initial state and beyond; 5. Developing grammatical knowledge -- parameter setting and inductive learning; 6. Neural maturation and age -- opening and closing windows of opportunities; 7. A (tentative) theory of language acquisition -- L1, 2L1, and L2
Summary "Infants and very young children develop almost miraculously the ability of speech, without apparent effort, without even being taught - as opposed to the teenager or the adult struggling without, it seems, ever being able to reach the same level of proficiency as five year olds in their first language. This useful textbook serves as a guide to different types of language acquisition: monolingual and bilingual first language development and child and adult second language acquisition. Unlike other books, it systematically compares first and second language acquisition, drawing on data from several languages. Research questions and findings from various subfields are helpfully summarized to show students how they are related and how they often complement each other. The essential guide to studying first and second language acquisition, it will be used on courses in linguistics, modern languages and developmental psychology"-- Provided by publisher
"This is an introduction to the study of the human Language Making Capacity. More accurately, it is a textbook presenting research questions and research results referring to specific manifestations of this capacity in monolingual and bilingual first language acquisition and child and adult second language acquisition. A more comprehensive treatment of this subject would have to address other aspects as well, for example, the genesis and change of languages, creolization and pidginization, language attrition and loss, impaired acquisition, and so forth"-- Provided by publisher
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and indexes
Notes Predominantly in English with some text in French and German
Print version record
Subject Second language acquisition.
Language and languages -- Study and teaching.
LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES -- Linguistics -- General.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY -- General.
Language and languages -- Study and teaching
Second language acquisition
Spracherwerb
Fremdsprachenlernen
Language acquisition.
Second language acquisition.
Language acquisition -- Bilingualism.
Andraspråksinlärning.
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781139126656
1139126652
9780511862694
0511862695
9781139115995
1139115995
1283298236
9781283298230
1139111639
9781139111638