Multilingual speech: Selected aspects of language acquisition

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

The theme of the course is directed towards the students interested in the “mystery” of language acquisition, with special focus on sounds and sound sequences (but not excluding other components of language). The aim is to overview the major approaches to the study of language acquisition of both first language (L1) and further languages (second language acquisition SLA, third language acquisition TLA) within the general perspective of cross-linguistic influence.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Interest in multilingualism and in how languages are acquired. Basic knowledge of linguistics, especially in the area of phonetics and phonology. Advanced English.

Syllabus

Week 1: Acquisition of language: A historical perspective

 

Week 2: Child language (L1 acquisition, FLA)

 

Week 3: continued

 

Week 4: continued

 

Week 5: The concept of the native speaker          

 

Week 6: Second language acquisition (SLA)

 

Week 7: continued         

 

Week 8: continued

 

Week 9: continued

 

Week 10: Cross-linguistic influence        

 

Week 11: continued

 

Week 12: NGTA Natural Growth Theory of Acquisition

 

Week 13: continued      

 

Week 14: continued

 

Week 15: Final remarks, discussion

Reading list

Chang, Charles B. "The phonetics of second language learning and bilingualism." The Routledge handbook of phonetics. Routledge, 2019. 427-447.

De Houwer, Annick. Bilingual development in childhood. Cambridge University Press, 2021.

Dziubalska-Kołaczyk, Katarzyna and Magdalena Wrembel. 2022. Natural Growth Theory of Acquisition (NGTA): Evidence from (mor)phonotactics. In: Sardegna, Veronica and Anna Jarosz (eds.), Theoretical and Practical Perspectives on English Pronunciation Teaching and Research. Springer, 281-298.

Hansen Edwards, J. G., & Zampini, M. L. eds. 2008. Phonology and second language acquisition. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing.

Vihman, Marilyn M. 1996. Phonological Development: The First Two Years. Oxford: Blackwell.

Wrembel, Magdalena. 2015. In search of a new perspective: Cross-linguistic influence in the acquisition of third language phonology. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM.

Wrembel, M. 2023. Exploring the acquisition of L3 phonology: Challenges, new Insights, and future directions. In: Jennifer Cabrelli, Adel Chaouch-Orozco, Jorge González Alonso, Sergio M. Pereira Soares, Eloi Puig-Mayenco and Jason Rothman (Eds.) The Cambridge Handbook of Third Language Acquisition and Processing, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 115-141.