Understanding Interfaces
Second language acquisition and first language attrition of Spanish subject realization and word order variation
Author
By combining theoretical analysis and empirical investigation, this monograph investigates the status of interfaces in Minimalist linguistic theory, second language acquisition and native language attrition. Two major questions are currently under debate: (1) what exactly makes a linguistic phenomenon an ‘interface phenomenon’, and (2) what is the specific role that the interfaces play in explaining language loss and persistent problems in second language acquisition? Answers to these questions are provided by a theoretical examination of the role that economy and computational efficiency play in recent Minimalist models of the language faculty, as well as by evidence obtained in two empirical studies examining the acquisition and attrition of two interface phenomena: Spanish subject realization and word order variation. The result is a new definition of ‘interface phenomena’ which deemphasizes syntactic complexity and focuses on the effect of interface interpretive conditions on syntactic structure. This work also shows that representational deficits cannot be ruled out in the acquisition and attrition of interface structures.
[Language Acquisition and Language Disorders, 55] 2013. xx, 267 pp.
Publishing status: Available
© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Table of Contents
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List of figures | p. ix
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List of tables | pp. xi–xii
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Abbreviations | pp. xiii–xv
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Abstract | p. xvii
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Acknowledgements | pp. xix–xx
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1. Linguistic interfaces and the architecture of the language faculty | pp. 1–23
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2. Clause structure, subject positions and word order variation in Spanish | pp. 25–76
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3. Linguistic interfaces in second language acquisition research | pp. 77–101
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4. Subject realization and word order variation in non-native Spanish | pp. 103–164
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5. Subject realization and word order variation in adult bilingual grammars under attrition | pp. 165–209
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6. Summary of findings and implications | pp. 211–227
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Name index | pp. 263–264
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Subject index | pp. 265–268
“This book is a wonderful example of how combining data sets across different types of learning groups, in this case mainly adult second language learners and native-language attriters, demonstrates more combined than the data sets do in isolation. Domínguez’s impressive and exhaustive analysis is based on formal linguistic theory. She does an exceptional job of covering the history of studies on subject realization and word order variation, mainly in Spanish, providing new data from carefully designed methodologies that together challenge seemingly accepted norms. She argues effectively that the sum total of available data, including her own, do not seem to lend unambiguous support to the Interface Hypothesis, showing, alternatively, that non-native acquisition and native-language attrition are complex phenomena that cannot be captured simply by postulating that the interface between syntax and its discourse interpretability is the sole or default domain of inherently difficulty. She offers a revised view of “interface” problems, which leads us away from syntactic complexity and focuses, rather, on the interpretive conditions for syntactic representation. This view seemingly can account for issues noted in the literature, e.g. where they are predicted to not obtain as is the clear case of narrow syntactic native attrition in adulthood. This is a must have book for anyone interested in adult acquisition and attrition, irrespective of the particular language focus of one’s research.”
Jason Rothman, University of Reading
Cited by (42)
Cited by 42 other publications
Gupton, Timothy & Silvia Sánchez Calderón
Hicks, Glyn, Laura Domínguez, E Jamieson & Monika S. Schmid
Hoot, Bradley & Tania Leal
2023. Crosslinguistic influence from Catalan and Yucatec Maya on judgments and processing of Spanish focus. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 13:4 ► pp. 529 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Wang, Jia
Wang, Jia
Wang, Jia
Wang, Jia
Laka, Itziar
Román, Patricia & Irene Gómez-Gómez
Domínguez, Laura & María J. Arche
Teixeira, Joana
2021. Chapter 9. Can explicit instruction help L2 learners overcome persistent L1 interference?. In L1 Acquisition and L2 Learning [Language Acquisition and Language Disorders, 65], ► pp. 230 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Butera, Brianna, Sandro Sessarego & Rajiv Rao
2020. Afro-Peruvian Spanish declarative intonation. In Hispanic Linguistics [Issues in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics, 26], ► pp. 230 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Corbet, James & Laura Domínguez
Genevska-Hanke, Dobrinka
Gürel, Ayşe
Hicks, Glyn & Laura Domínguez
Hoot, Bradley, Tania Leal & Emilie Destruel
Miller, Lauren
2020. When bilinguals outperform monolinguals. Revista Española de Lingüística Aplicada/Spanish Journal of Applied Linguistics 33:2 ► pp. 475 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Zhang, Shi
2020. Does extensive L2 exposure trigger L1 attrition of perfective and durative aspect marking in Mandarin Chinese?. In Lost in Transmission [Studies in Bilingualism, 59], ► pp. 256 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Austin, Lynette, Arturo E. Hernandez & John W. Schwieter
Daskalaki, Evangelia, Vasiliki Chondrogianni, Elma Blom, Froso Argyri & Johanne Paradis
Domínguez, Laura, Glyn Hicks & Roumyana Slabakova
García-Alcaraz, Estela & Aurora Bel
Gabriel, Christoph & Jonas Grünke
2018. Chapter 12. Focus, prosody, and subject positions in L3 Spanish. In Focus Realization in Romance and Beyond [Studies in Language Companion Series, 201], ► pp. 357 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Leal, Tania, Emilie Destruel & Bradley Hoot
2018. The realization of information focus in monolingual and bilingual native Spanish. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 8:2 ► pp. 217 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Romero, Rey & Sandro Sessarego
2018. Chapter 3. Hard come, easy go. In Language Variation and Contact-Induced Change [Current Issues in Linguistic Theory, 340], ► pp. 63 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Schmid, Monika S. & Gülsen Yılmaz
Uth, Melanie & Marco García García
2018. Chapter 1. Introduction. In Focus Realization in Romance and Beyond [Studies in Language Companion Series, 201], ► pp. 1 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Yılmaz, Gülsen & Monika S. Schmid
2018. Chapter 11. First language attrition and bilingualism. In Bilingual Cognition and Language [Studies in Bilingualism, 54], ► pp. 225 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Ayoun, Dalila & Charlene Gilbert
2017. The acquisition of modal auxiliaries in English by advanced Francophone learners. In Tense-Aspect-Modality in a Second Language [Studies in Bilingualism, 50], ► pp. 183 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Bot, Kees de
2017. One theory for acquisition and attrition?. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 7:6 ► pp. 678 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Clements, Maria & Laura Domínguez
2017. Reexamining the acquisition of null subject pronouns in a second language. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 7:1 ► pp. 33 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Clements, Maria & Laura Domínguez
2018. Chapter 7. Testing the predictions of the Scalpel Model in L3/Ln acquisition. In Meaning and Structure in Second Language Acquisition [Studies in Bilingualism, 55], ► pp. 181 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Meisel, Jürgen M.
2017. On first language attrition in second language learners. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 7:6 ► pp. 734 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Nagy, Naomi
2017. The relevance of first language attrition to sociolinguistics, and vice versa. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 7:6 ► pp. 744 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Schmid, Monika S. & Barbara Köpke
2017. The relevance of first language attrition to theories of bilingual development. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 7:6 ► pp. 637 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Domínguez, Laura & Glyn Hicks
2016. Synchronic change in a multidialectal Spanish community. In Inquiries in Hispanic Linguistics [Issues in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics, 12], ► pp. 53 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Laleko, Oksana & Maria Polinsky
Domínguez, Laura
2014.
How suitable is the macro-micro parametric distinction in acquisition?. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 4:3 ► pp. 325 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
Domínguez, Laura
2017. Bridging the gap between selective and non-selective L1 attrition. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 7:6 ► pp. 686 ff. ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
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Subjects
Main BIC Subject
CFDM: Bilingualism & multilingualism
Main BISAC Subject
LAN009000: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General