PERSONALITY AND LANGUAGE BEHAVIOR: A RESTATEMENT¹

Abstract

This restatement of the theoretical framework underlying the research program of the University of Michigan Personality and Language Behavior Research Group addresses two theoretical issues that are at present particularly relevant to a theory of second language acquisition: the statue of constructs in the theory that have been transported or transposed from other fields, and the process (and criteria) of theory validation. Defining and assessing the value of “borrowed” constructs is of course serious concern of any interdisciplinary, applied science. Once that has been accomplished to satisfaction, however, the even more imposing task remains of testing the fit of those constructs within the larger context, in this case, a general theory of second language acquisition. Using as an example the development of the language ego paradigm (Guiora 1972). we first assess the moorings of its theoretical constructs in psychology and linguistics. We then examine the nature of the empirical evidence and argumentation that bears on its validity.

Teaching and Researching the Pronunciation of English

“…The talent for mimicry has been identified in second-langue speech research as a significant predictor of a degree of L2 foreign accent Purcell & Suter, 1980;Suter, 1976;Thompson, 1991). It is also considered as a subcomponent of language aptitude for pronunciation in L2 connected with empathy and the ability to overcome the 'ego boundary' (Guiora, 1967;Guiora & Acton, 1979;Guiora et al, 1972;Hu et al, 2013). More research is needed to determine the degree of influence of the talent for mimicry in the imitation of FL accent in L1.…”

Self and Language Anxiety

“…For example, learners report thinking in the target language and adopting clothing or eating styles of the target language community in order to perform better in the target language or fit in better among the target language group. The concept of L2 self, language ego, or language ego boundaries to FL or L2 language learning or acquisition has been stated in the previous studies (e.g., Guiora et al, 1975;Guiora & Acton, 1979;Horwitz et al, 1986). Horwitz et al (1986) claimed that the concept of language anxiety could be a unique emotion or experience only associated with learning the target language.…”

“…They assumed that "language ego is a maturational concept and likewise refers to self-representation with physical outlines and firm boundaries" (p. 45). Guiora and Acton (1979) claimed that the concept of "permeability of language ego boundaries" (p. 199) refers to language learners' ability to "move back and forth between languages" (p. 199) and the switch of the "personalities" (p. 199) that seem to come from the immersion of the target language. This idea is similar to the common agreement that a language learner "feels like a different person" (p. 199) when speaking a L2 or FL and often acts somehow differently as well.…”

16. Language Learner

“…) Within the context of a teaching-learning environment, the potentially favourable conditions must be made available, which may counterbalance any anxiety-related reactions from the ILs, as they attempt to use the L/C 2 (Horwitz/ Horwitz/Cope 1986;Young 1986) Motivation plays a key role in the process of learning an L/C 2 (Dörnyei 2007 Collaboration and scaffolding-based learning theories (Bruner 1998), seem an adequate pathway to set up pedagogical environments aiming at making language ego boundaries more permeable (Guiora/Acton 1979). ) Within the context of a teaching-learning environment, the potentially favourable conditions must be made available, which may counterbalance any anxiety-related reactions from the ILs, as they attempt to use the L/C 2 (Horwitz/ Horwitz/Cope 1986;Young 1986) Motivation plays a key role in the process of learning an L/C 2 (Dörnyei 2007 Collaboration and scaffolding-based learning theories (Bruner 1998), seem an adequate pathway to set up pedagogical environments aiming at making language ego boundaries more permeable (Guiora/Acton 1979).…”