This authoritative textbook provides an overview and analysis of current secondlanguage acquisition research conducted within the generative linguisticframework... » 

This authoritative textbook provides an overview and analysis of current secondlanguage acquisition research conducted within the generative linguisticframework. Lydia White argues that second language acquisition is constrainedby principles and parameters of Universal Grammar. The book focuses oncharacterizing and explaining the underlying linguistic competence of secondlanguage learners in terms of these contraints. Theories as to the role ofUniversal Grammar and the extent of mother tongue influence are presented anddiscussed with particular consideration given to the nature of theinterlanguage grammar at different points in development from the initialstate to ultimate attainment. Throughout the book hypotheses maintaining thatsecond language grammars are constrained by universal principles are contrastedwith claims that Universal Grammar is not implicated relevant empiricalresearch is presented from both sides of the debate. This textbook is essentialreading for those studying second language acquisition from a linguisticperspective. «