acquisition of aspect in a second language

The acquisition of the aspect is a central area in Second Language Acquisition research, with Stefano Rastelli's introduction providing a concise and plain presentation of the main hypotheses advanced in the past and an overview of contemporary research. Comparison of behavioural, processing, and statistical data is improving our understanding of how learners acquire the aspectual distinctions of the target-language.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 03 December 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The acquisition of the aspect is a crucial and extensively researched area in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) studies, attracting the attention of numerous scholars and resulting in a substantial body of literature. This introduction aims to provide both a concise and comprehensive overview of the main hypotheses advanced in the past and an insightful glimpse into the current state of research in this field.

Stefano Rastelli, a prominent researcher in SLA, highlights the significant advancements made in understanding how learners acquire the aspectual distinctions of the target language. Through the comparison of behavioral (production-comprehension), processing, and statistical data, Rastelli demonstrates how our understanding of this process is evolving and, in some cases, being reshaped.

One of the key insights gained from this research is the importance of considering multiple sources of evidence when studying aspect acquisition. Behavioral data, such as the production and comprehension of aspectual expressions by learners, provides valuable insights into their cognitive processes and the strategies they employ to acquire the target language. Processing data, such as eye movements and brain activity during language processing, sheds light on the neural mechanisms involved in aspect perception and production. Statistical data, such as frequency counts and cross-linguistic comparisons, helps validate and refine hypotheses and provides a broader perspective on the acquisition process.

Rastelli also emphasizes the role of context in aspect acquisition. He argues that learners are more likely to acquire the correct aspect when it is appropriately contextualized within a sentence or discourse. This contextualization helps learners to associate the aspectual meaning with the appropriate grammatical structure and facilitates the development of a more accurate representation of the target language.

Furthermore, Rastelli discusses the influence of language proficiency and learning strategies on aspect acquisition. He suggests that more proficient learners may rely on more sophisticated cognitive processes and strategies, while less proficient learners may rely more on perceptual and structural cues. Additionally, different learning strategies, such as explicit instruction, immersion, and error correction, may have different effects on aspect acquisition.

In conclusion, the acquisition of the aspect is a complex and multifaceted area of research that has attracted the attention of numerous scholars. Stefano Rastelli's work highlights the importance of considering multiple sources of evidence, the role of context, and the influence of language proficiency and learning strategies on aspect acquisition. This introduction provides a solid foundation for those interested in further exploring this field and contributes to our understanding of how learners acquire the aspectual distinctions of the target language.

Weight: 146g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108829038