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Acquisition of the Constraints on "Wanna" Contraction by Advanced Second Language Learners: Universal Grammar and Imperfect Knowledge
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Kweon, Soo-Ok; Bley-Vroman, Robert – Second Language Research, 2011
Contraction of "want to" to "wanna" is subject to constraints that have been related to the operation of Universal Grammar. Contraction appears to be blocked when the trace of an extracted "wh"-word intervenes. Evidence for knowledge of these constraints by young English-speaking children has been taken to show the operation of Universal Grammar…
Descriptors: Native Speakers, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Grammar
The Evolving Context of the Fundamental Difference Hypothesis
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Bley-Vroman, Robert – Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 2009
Foreign language learning contrasts with native language development in two key respects: It is unreliable and it is nonconvergent. At the same time, it is clear that foreign languages are languages. The fundamental difference hypothesis (FDH) was introduced as a way to account for the general characteristics of foreign language learning. The FDH…
Descriptors: Second Languages, Second Language Learning, Language Processing, Language Acquisition
Second Language Processing of Subordinate Clauses and Anaphora--First Language and Universal Influences: A Review of Flynn's Research.
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Bley-Vroman, Robert; Chaudron, Craig – Language Learning, 1990
Discusses the theory that the second-language processing of subordinate clauses and of anaphora is affected by the basic word order of a learners native language. This phenomenon, believed to be a prediction of universal grammar, is explored. (54 references) (Author/VWL)
Descriptors: Error Patterns, Grammar, Language Processing, Language Research
The Acquisition of Multiple "Wh"-Questions by High-Proficiency Non-Native Speakers of English.
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Bley-Vroman, Robert; Yoshinaga, Naoko – Second Language Research, 2000
Investigates the knowledge of multiple wh-questions such as "Who ate what?" by high-proficiency Japanese speakers of English. Acceptability judgments were obtained on six different types of questions. Acceptability of English examples was rated by native speakers of English, Japanese examples were judged by native speakers of Japanese,…
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Grammar, Japanese, Language Proficiency