The Role of Linguistic Input in the First Hours of Adult Language Learning

Abstract

In the field of SLA, the dominant view of the starting point of SLA holds that the properties of the learner's first language (L1) grammar form the basis for the initial state of interlanguage development. It is assumed therefore that second-language (L2) input processing happens through the lens of the L1 and that the perception of a discrepancy between the configuration of the L1 grammar and the L2 input triggers a restructuring of the developing system. This article takes a different approach to the analysis of the earliest stages of language learning. Based on results from an empirical study of the linguistic input (Polish) addressed to adult learners (French native speakers) in the first seconds, minutes, and hours of exposure to a novel target language as well as learners' analysis of this input, it is argued that learners use a combination of knowledge stores, including but not limited to their L1 knowledge, to process the novel target language input to which they are exposed.Researchers in the field of SLA have for some time tacitly acknowledged the need for theorists to incorporate the early stages of acquisition into their theories. Pienemann's (1998) work on Processability Theory-in essence a theory of adult language learning-is exemplary of this. Pienemann took the position that a language learnability theory must specify how a learner moves from an "initial state" to the target grammar, yet he forwent entering the debate on the second-language (L2) initial state: "The acquisition process starts at an I would like to thank Clive Perdue for having initiated this project and for following through as the mastermind behind it (see Rast, in press, for more information about Perdue's reflections on L2 input and the L2 initial state). I also thank Marzena W atorek and Jean-Yves Dommergues for their indispensable contributions to data collection and analysis. Many thanks go as well to Marianne Gullberg and Peter Indefrey for inviting me to participate in the Third A. Guiora Annual Roundtable Conference and for commenting on earlier versions of this work. All errors and mishaps are mine.

Language Learning and Control in Monolinguals and Bilinguals

“…We suggest that interference from other languages is one of the reasons why novel language acquisition is more difficult than first-language acquisition (Birdsong, 2006, 2009; MacWhinney, 2007; Rast, 2010). We propose that previous experience using multiple languages hones the ability to control cross-linguistic competition and improves processing of words in a newly-learned language.…”

The Detection and Primed Production of Novel Constructions

“…The learning of second language (L2) morphosyntax remains an interesting yet challenging area of research that primarily investigates how learners extract, internalize, and subsequently produce various aspects of morphosyntax, and whether learners’ prior knowledge or individual differences affect their morphosyntactic development (e.g., Ellis, ; Lardiere, ; MacWhinney, ). Among the chief challenges is the issue of how L2 morphosyntax is learned in the earliest stages of learners’ exposure to input, on the assumption that learners’ initial experience with linguistic input can predict and explain their eventual learning outcomes (Gullberg, Roberts, & Dimroth, ; Rast, ). Construction learning studies have shown that a completely novel pattern can be detected and elicited even after brief exposure to low type‐frequency input (Fulga & McDonough, ; Nakamura, ; McDonough & Trofimovich, ).…”

Investigating Native English Speakers’ Perception of Novel Arabic Phonemes after First Exposure

“…As mentioned earlier, there is a gap in the literature regarding the crucial first minutes of L2 exposure. Such a gap has led many researchers to tackle this significant aspect of SLA theory and present important studies investigating the effect of controlled artificial and/or naturalistic input, such as Carroll, (2007Carroll, ( , 2012Carroll, ( , 2014, Gullberg et al (2010Gullberg et al ( , 2012, and Rast (2008Rast ( , 2010 amongst many others.…”

“…Therefore, different researchers have coined the term describing this area of research differently. For example, it was coined as 'ab initio' by Han and Liu (2013), 'minimal exposure' by Gullberg et al (2010Gullberg et al ( , 2012, and 'first exposure' by Rast (2010) and Carroll (2013Carroll ( , 2014. Throughout this paper, it will be referred to as first exposure of L2.…”

“…It is, thus, necessary to point out that to the best of my knowledge no study has so far attempted such an investigation. Therefore, the literature in this paper on first exposure studies will present a general view of the major empirical studies of first exposure studies conducted so far, such as Carroll (2007Carroll ( , 2012Carroll ( , 2014, Gullberg et al (2010), Han & Liu (2013), Rast (2008Rast ( , 2010 and Park & Han (2008).…”