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DESCRIPTION AND EXPLANATION IN INTERLANGUAGE SYNTAX: STATE OF THE ART
Author(s) -
Rutherford William E.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
language learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.882
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1467-9922
pISSN - 0023-8333
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-1770.1984.tb00344.x
Subject(s) - linguistics , syntax , markedness , interlanguage , grammar , psychology , consistency (knowledge bases) , second language acquisition , typology , computer science , artificial intelligence , sociology , philosophy , anthropology
The general theme chosen for this approach to interlanguage (IL) syntax "state of the art" is the presumed goal of all IL syntacticians: to find consistency and pattern in syntactic variation. There are two overlapping subsidiary themes as well: those of describing the systematicity in IL syntax and of explaining it. Themes contributing to descriptive approaches include the transition from morphosyntax acquisition studies to those of more complex syntax, the emergence of syntax from discourse, explicitness, the investigation of language "process" as well as language product, and the serious consideration of "simplicity." Themes contributing to explanatory approaches include general frameworks such as language universals, language typology, core grammar, and markedness. The paper concludes with suggestions and predictions as to the directions in which continuing research on IL syntax might lead.