| CODE | LIN2230 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Interlanguage Phonology | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Linguistics | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit looks at issues relating to the phonological influence of L1 on L2 (e.g. Maltese on the English of speakers of Maltese, German/Italian/French on different non-native Englishes, as well as other possibilities). It will begin with an overview of the contrastive analysis hypothesis in order to show that the influence of the L1 on the L2 cannot be accounted for only on the basis of the notion of transfer: developmental factors too are usually at play. In this context, the notion of interlanguage will be explored. The first part of the study-unit examines evidence relating to the phonological influence of L1 on L2 across different languages. Work in this area involving the contrastive analysis hypothesis and transfer theories, as well as more recent work on interlanguage in which the role of interlanguage as opposed to mother tongue interference is invoked, will be reviewed. The second part of this study-unit outlines the extent and systematicity with which the phonology of one language (e.g. Maltese, French, German, Italian) can influence the phonology of another language (e.g. the English of speakers of Maltese or the different Englishes of native speakers of French, German or Italian). In this part of the study-unit, a selection of research papers in this area will be reviewed in order for students to become acquainted with hypothesis testing and the methodologies which can be used in an attempt at finding answers to the various questions posed by researchers. Amongst other things, the notions of variability and of different interlanguages, as well as other notions such as that of fossilisation, will be discussed. The study-unit will be delivered online although a regular meeting slot for students registered for the study-unit will be maintained; circumstances permitting, a number of face-to-face sessions may also be organised. Lecture-type resources posted online will take the place of face-to-face lectures. These will be supplemented with additional resources such as links to additional reading material, etc. Seminars based on set articles and associated questions will take the form either of online discussion or Fora or of student seminar presentations. Students’ participation in these fora or seminar presentations will constitute part of the assessment. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to examine different approaches to the study of the phonological influence of L1 on L2. Various theories will be reviewed and notions of interlanguage, as well as those of transfer, variability, fossilisation and the role of developmental issues, will be discussed. The study-unit also aims to provide students with the ability to evaluate research in this area critically, and, in so doing, to become acquainted with the underpinnings of hypothesis testing as well as with methodologies which have been used by researches in this field in an attempt at finding answers to the various questions posed. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. understand basic concepts in the general field of SLA with particular reference to the phonological influence of L1 on L2; b. define and use terminology relevant to the discussion of the various theories in this field with particular emphasis on theories of interlanguage; c. identify the issues of relevance to researchers in this field and evaluate the merits and shortcomings of different theoretical approaches to the study of the influence of the L1 on the L2. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. read studies in this area with a view to identifying the research question being tackled; b. evaluate the merits of different methodologies adopted in research in this area; c. formulate a simple research question and hypothesis; d. design an appropriate methodology to address the specific research question formulated. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Archibald, J. (1998). Second language phonology. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. - Eubank, L., Selinker, L, and Sharwood Smith, M. (eds.). (1997). The current state of interlanguage. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: John Benjamins. - Flynn, S. And O’Neil, W. (1988). Linguistic theory in second language acquisition. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. - Gass. S. M. And Schacter, J. (1989). Linguistic perspectives on second langauge acquistion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Hinskens, F., Van Hout, R. and Wetzels, L. (Eds.). (1997). Variation, change and phonological Theory. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: John Benjamins. - Ioup G. and Weinberger, S. (Eds.). (1987). Interlanguage phonology: the acquistion of a second language sound system. Rowley, Mass.: Newbury Press. - Kellerman, E. and Sharwood Smith, M. (1986). Crosslinguistic influence in second Language Acquistion. New York: Pergamon Press - Keys, K. J. (2002). Interlanguage phonology: theoretical questions and empirical data. Linguagem & Ensino, Vol. 5, No. 1, 75-91. - Richards, J.C. (Ed.). (1978). Understanding second and foreign language learning: issues and approaches. Rowley, Mass.: Newbury House - Selinker, L. (1972). Interlanguage. IRAL 10, 201-231. - Vella, A. 1995. Prosodic structure and intonation in Maltese and its influence on Maltese English. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh. A reading pack containing specific topic-by-topic readings will be made available in the course of the study-unit. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Study-units: Level 1 Linguistics compulsory study-units or their equivalents | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Online Lecture | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Alexandra Vella |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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