John Benjamins Publishing Company
Chapter 9. Connectionist models of second language acquisition
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Abstract
Connectionist models have had a profound impact on theories of language science, but researchers have only recently started to explore the implications of these models in second language acquisition. In this chapter we first provide a review of connectionism and second language acquisition. We then discuss models that focus on the complex interactive dynamics involved in learning a second language, with special reference to the effects of age of acquisition on lexical representation and the competition that is engaged during the learning and representation of two languages. We show that connectionist approaches provide significant insights into long-standing debates, including mechanisms of organization and plasticity in the development of two competing linguistic systems.
Abstract
Connectionist models have had a profound impact on theories of language science, but researchers have only recently started to explore the implications of these models in second language acquisition. In this chapter we first provide a review of connectionism and second language acquisition. We then discuss models that focus on the complex interactive dynamics involved in learning a second language, with special reference to the effects of age of acquisition on lexical representation and the competition that is engaged during the learning and representation of two languages. We show that connectionist approaches provide significant insights into long-standing debates, including mechanisms of organization and plasticity in the development of two competing linguistic systems.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments ix
- Foreword xi
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. What is easy and what is hard to acquire in a second language 5
- Chapter 2. Systemic Functional approaches to second language acquisition in school settings 29
- Chapter 3. From input, output and comprehension to negotiation, evidence, and attention 49
- Chapter 4. Skill Acquisition Theory and the role of practice in L2 development 71
- Chapter 5. The Input Processing Theory in second language acquisition 93
- Chapter 6. Processability Theory 111
- Chapter 7. Sociocultural Theory and second language development 129
- Chapter 8. Investigating L2 spoken syntax 153
- Chapter 9. Connectionist models of second language acquisition 177
- Chapter 10. Dynamic Systems Theory as a comprehensive theory of second language development 199
- Chapter 11. Electrophysiology of second language processing 221
- Afterword. On multiplicity and mutual exclusivity 243
- List of contributors 257
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments ix
- Foreword xi
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. What is easy and what is hard to acquire in a second language 5
- Chapter 2. Systemic Functional approaches to second language acquisition in school settings 29
- Chapter 3. From input, output and comprehension to negotiation, evidence, and attention 49
- Chapter 4. Skill Acquisition Theory and the role of practice in L2 development 71
- Chapter 5. The Input Processing Theory in second language acquisition 93
- Chapter 6. Processability Theory 111
- Chapter 7. Sociocultural Theory and second language development 129
- Chapter 8. Investigating L2 spoken syntax 153
- Chapter 9. Connectionist models of second language acquisition 177
- Chapter 10. Dynamic Systems Theory as a comprehensive theory of second language development 199
- Chapter 11. Electrophysiology of second language processing 221
- Afterword. On multiplicity and mutual exclusivity 243
- List of contributors 257
