Implicit statistical learning and language acquisition
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Anne M. Walk
Abstract
Acquiring spoken language involves implicitly learning the statistical relations among language units. In this chapter, we review recent behavioral and neurophysiological findings from our research group that illuminate the relation of this type of ‘implicit statistical learning’ (ISL) to language acquisition. First, we review evidence illustrating that ISL mechanisms enable the learner to predict upcoming language units. Second, we show modality constraints affecting the operation of ISL mechanisms, with auditory and visual learning biased to learn different types of patterns. Third, we demonstrate that under certain developmental conditions typical ISL abilities are altered, which can detrimentally affect subsequent language acquisition. These findings highlight the experience-dependent nature of ISL and its relation to typical and atypical language acquisition.
Abstract
Acquiring spoken language involves implicitly learning the statistical relations among language units. In this chapter, we review recent behavioral and neurophysiological findings from our research group that illuminate the relation of this type of ‘implicit statistical learning’ (ISL) to language acquisition. First, we review evidence illustrating that ISL mechanisms enable the learner to predict upcoming language units. Second, we show modality constraints affecting the operation of ISL mechanisms, with auditory and visual learning biased to learn different types of patterns. Third, we demonstrate that under certain developmental conditions typical ISL abilities are altered, which can detrimentally affect subsequent language acquisition. These findings highlight the experience-dependent nature of ISL and its relation to typical and atypical language acquisition.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- List of contributors ix
-
Introduction
- Introduction xiii
-
Theoretical perspectives
- Implicit AND explicit language learning 3
- Explaining phenomena of first and second language acquisition with the constructs of implicit and explicit learning 25
- Implicit learning in SLA 47
- Semantic implicit learning 69
- What does current generative theory have to say about the explicit-implicit debate? 91
- Explicit knowledge about language in L2 learning 117
- The learnability of language 139
- Tracking multiple inputs 167
- Implicit statistical learning and language acquisition 191
- Implicit learning of non-adjacent dependencies 213
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Methodology
- Artificial grammar learning 249
- Challenges in implicit learning research 275
- Effects of conditions on L2 development 301
- Investigating implicit and explicit processing using L2 learners’ eye-movement data 325
- Contributions of event-related potential research to issues in explicit and implicit second language acquisition 349
-
Practical applications
- Implicit learning of a L2 morphosyntactic rule, and its relevance for language teaching 387
- Form-focused instruction and the measurement of implicit and explicit L2 knowledge 417
- Implicit and explicit instruction in L2 learning 443
- Index 483
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- List of contributors ix
-
Introduction
- Introduction xiii
-
Theoretical perspectives
- Implicit AND explicit language learning 3
- Explaining phenomena of first and second language acquisition with the constructs of implicit and explicit learning 25
- Implicit learning in SLA 47
- Semantic implicit learning 69
- What does current generative theory have to say about the explicit-implicit debate? 91
- Explicit knowledge about language in L2 learning 117
- The learnability of language 139
- Tracking multiple inputs 167
- Implicit statistical learning and language acquisition 191
- Implicit learning of non-adjacent dependencies 213
-
Methodology
- Artificial grammar learning 249
- Challenges in implicit learning research 275
- Effects of conditions on L2 development 301
- Investigating implicit and explicit processing using L2 learners’ eye-movement data 325
- Contributions of event-related potential research to issues in explicit and implicit second language acquisition 349
-
Practical applications
- Implicit learning of a L2 morphosyntactic rule, and its relevance for language teaching 387
- Form-focused instruction and the measurement of implicit and explicit L2 knowledge 417
- Implicit and explicit instruction in L2 learning 443
- Index 483
