The functional hypothesis of language, based on the assumption that the referential function of language is paramount, is discussed as it applies to interlanguage, the second language spoken by less than proficient native speakers of another language. The presentation includes: (1) a review of the evidence of previous empirical investigations of…

Suggests that interlanguage morphology research contradictions have occurred as a result of a descriptively inadequate variation model. This assertion provides the basis for proposing and applying a multivariate model (acquisition stage, linguistic environment, and communicative redundancy) to an analysis of native Mandarin Chinese speakers'…