Bifurcations and the Emergence of L2 Syntactic Structures in a Complex Dynamic System

Abstract

We report on a complex dynamic systems study of an untutored adult French learner's development of English syntax, specifically two non-finite adverbial constructions. The study was conducted over one academic year of 30 weeks. From an analysis of L2 speech samples collected weekly, certain patterns in the flux emerged. The learner's ensuing second language development is characterized by a series of bifurcations, stemming from forms competing for the same functional terrain. Each bifurcation is accompanied by turbulence as the system moves from one attractor state to another. The transition is characterized by loss of stability, an increase in variability, and a period of dysfluency. It is in the dynamic relationship of accuracy and fluency that novel syntactic forms emerge, both convergent with and divergent from dominant contextual patterns, with dominance established by consulting a well-known corpus of contemporary English. Non-linear development occurs with continuous and iterative exposure to and interaction in English-from relexification to adaptation and synchronization, animated by the learner's perception and memory of regular sequential associations, to pruning of divergent forms. What results over time is a branching hierarchy, connecting online processing with over time development. Multiple competing forms continue to co-exist in the learner's repertoire, which is likely more typical of adult L2 development than of L1 acquisition.

Combinations and Connections: Reaching Across Disciplinary Boundaries

“…To expand upon their work from a systems perspective would entail the converse: identifying particular functions, such as holding the floor and signaling a self‐correction, and tracing the increasing diversity of forms—including, but not limited to, comment on dit . In addition, in keeping with the significance accorded variability in CDST, it would be helpful to report the variability in Malia's performance in order to reveal how it influences the system's dynamics (Evans & Larsen–Freeman, 2020; Lowie & Verspoor, 2015).…”

A Dynamic Systems Study on Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency in English Writing Development by Chinese University Students

“…Other studies have opted to focus on one or two of the dimensions of CAF (e.g., Caspi, 2010;Verspoor and van Dijk, 2011;Baba and Nitta, 2014;Zheng and Feng, 2017;Hou and Chen, 2019;Bulté and Housen, 2020;Evans and Larsen-Freeman, 2020;Yu and Lowie, 2020). For example, Zheng and Feng (2017) traced the development of complexity in 17 Chinese college students.…”

A Complex Dynamic Systems Theory Perspective on Speaking in Second Language Development

“…Moreover, a fractal dimension has been found in the variability of speech production during simple naming tasks in the L1 (Holden et al, 2009), as well as in second language naming tasks (Plat et al, 2018). A fractal structure has also been identified in the diachronic development of syntactic complexity (Evans & Larsen-Freeman, 2020).…”