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Second language acquisition research and the study of non‐native varieties of English: some issues in common
Author(s) -
RITCHIE WILLIAM C.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
world englishes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.6
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1467-971X
pISSN - 0883-2919
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-971x.1986.tb00637.x
Subject(s) - linguistics , parallels , hierarchy , focus (optics) , varieties of english , variation (astronomy) , second language acquisition , computer science , english language , sociology , psychology , engineering , political science , mechanical engineering , philosophy , physics , optics , astrophysics , law
It is proposed that the study of basilectal and acrolectal Singapore English can contribute to a better understanding of second‐language acquisition and use. This proposal is made on the basis of developmental and performance parallels among: the speech continuum of Singapore English (acrolect, mesolect and basilect), dialectal variation in New York City, and the evidence from second‐language development and use. This paper particularly emphasizes the operation of the monitor and specifications of the hierarchy of difficulty in the acquisition of syntactic structures. This paper suggests some ways in which the two lines of research (i.e. the descriptions of non‐native varieties of English and stages/variability in second‐language production) might be combined to enhance the advancement of each. The primary focus is on Singapore English.