Profiling Learner Language as a Dynamic System

Sheds empirical light on Complex Dynamic System Theory through the multiple analyses of a single dataset

This volume sheds empirical light on Complex Dynamic Systems Theory by providing analyses of two longitudinal, interactional datasets. The individual analyses traverse the domains of morphosyntax, semantics, pragmatics and discourse. As a whole, the collection demonstrates the impact of the ecosystem on individuals’ use of language.

ZhaoHong Han is Professor of Language and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research interests include second language learnability, second language teachability, and their interface. Among her recent publications are Complexity Theory and Language Development (co-edited with Lourdes Ortega, John Benjamins, 2017), Studies in Second Language Acquisition of Chinese (Multilingual Matters, 2014) and Linguistic Relativity in SLA (co-edited with Teresa Cadierno, Multilingual Matters, 2010).

ZhaoHong Han is Professor of Language and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research interests include second language learnability, second language teachability, and their interface. Among her recent publications are Complexity Theory and Language Development (co-edited with Lourdes Ortega, John Benjamins, 2017), Studies in Second Language Acquisition of Chinese (Multilingual Matters, 2014) and Linguistic Relativity in SLA (co-edited with Teresa Cadierno, Multilingual Matters, 2010).

Unlike most other collections, this book consists of a series of articles that draw on data from the same macro context. This gives a uniformity to the book that is rare in collections and very welcome. It makes a noteworthy contribution to the study of Complex Dynamic Systems and offers some important suggestions about how research in this area can move forward. I congratulate ZhaoHong Han on assembling such an interesting volume.