Universal Grammar parameter-setting account of L2 adverb-position acquisition¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The article adopts the generative view that Universal Grammar is available in second language acquisition, so that syntactic positions of adverbs are "universally determined and what people have to do is the work of parameter setting". Under this account, adjuncts can be left- or right-adjoined depending on language parameter settings, and learners need only set the parameter value for the target language, which "can be achieved easily through little learning". The author applies this to English versus Chinese adverb placement within TP and VP.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Learners must set the parameter value for the target language (e.g., left- vs right-adjoined adverbs within TP)

Constraints¶

• The author acknowledges disagreement in the literature about whether UG is accessible in SLA and adopts the availability position
• Findings are based only on adult learners

Target Learners¶

• adult second-language learners of English

Target Learning Objectives¶

• acquisition of syntactic positions of English adverbs and adverbials

Claims¶

• No L1 Transfer Manner Adverb Positions [+M]

Related Theories¶

• As-far-as-a-verb-can-check-its-features theory of adverb order and scope within TP

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• ZHANG Zi-hong. (2010). The syntactic positions of adverbs and the Second Language Acquisition. Sino-US English Teaching, 7(9), 48-54. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED514708