book notice: Language Development and Age: Herschensohn

[Harold Schiffman]

Language Development and Age: Herschensohn


2007 Cambridge University Press  http://us.cambridge.org

Author: Julia Herschensohn


The anecdotal view of language acquisition is that children learn language
with apparent ease, no instruction and in very little time, while adults
find learning a new language to be cognitively challenging, labour
intensive and time-consuming. In this book Herschensohn examines whether
early childhood is a critical period for language acquisition after which
individuals cannot learn a language as native speakers. She argues that a
first language is largely susceptible to age constraints, showing major
deficits past the age of twelve. Second language acquisition also shows age
effects, but with a range of individual differences. The competence of
expert adult learners, the unequal achievements of child learners of second
languages, and the lack of consistent evidence for a maturational cut-off,
all cast doubt on a critical period for second language acquisition.

1. Just in time: is there a critical period for language acquisition?;
2. Right on time: process and schedule of first language acquisition;
3. All in good time: a window of opportunity for first language acquisition;
4. Behind time: process and schedule of second language acquisition;
5. Pressed for time: age constraints in second language acquisition;
6. Biding time: further consideration of age and acquisition;
7. It's about time: evaluation of age sensitivity in language acquisition.

http://linguistlist.org/issues/18/18-3482.html
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