The sensitive period for second language acquisition: An experimental study of age effects on universal grammar and language transfer

The main objectives of this study are to test the Sensitive Period Hypothesis for second language acquisition and to find out its nature. Speed (reaction time) of responses was measured in addition to grammaticality judgment so that the subjects' conscious monitoring of linguistic processes could be kept at a minimum. The reaction time measurement also provided information on the subjects' fluency of processing. Materials were developed within the framework of the Universal Grammar Theory of Principles and Parameters. Thus sentences were constructed to test the subjects' knowledge on the Subjacency Principle and the Binding Principle for Anaphors in English.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Linguistics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Shim, Rosa Jinyoung

Contributors dc:contributor

• Maclay, Howard S.

• Language, Linguistics
• Education, Language and Literature
• Education, Early Childhood

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1995 Shim, Rosa Jinyoung

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9522174
(UMI)AAI9522174

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/19928