Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar

This authoritative textbook is 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 along with relevant empirical research. Properties of early developmental stage grammars are examined, as well as the nature of the final outcome of the acquisition process.

This authoritative textbook provides a linguistic perspective on second language acquisition.

Lydia White is Professor of Linguistics at McGill University, Montréal and Chair of the Linguistics Department. She is internationally known as a leading expert on second language acquisition. She is the author of Universal Grammar and Second Language Acquisition (John Benjamins, 1989) and publishes regularly in major international journals on language acquisition.