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In:Widening Contexts for Processability Theory: Theories and issues
Edited by Anke Lenzing, Howard Nicholas and Jana Roos
[Processability Approaches to Language Acquisition Research & Teaching 7] 2019
► pp. 13–48

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Chapter 2
Towards an integrated model of grammatical encoding and decoding in SLA

Published online: 28 November 2019
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https://doi.org/10.1075/palart.7.02len
In this chapter, I consider the interface between production and comprehension in second language acquisition (SLA). I argue that the two processes rely on (partially) shared resources and propose an integrated encoding-decoding model of SLA. The core of the model is a single syntactic processor underlying both second language (L2) grammatical encoding and decoding. The model also includes a means of accounting for the interaction of shared grammatical resources and key semantic aspects such as lexical semantics and event probability on the comprehension process. My claims are tested in an empirical study focussing on the L2 acquisition of English passive constructions by 24 learners with an L1 German background at different stages of L2 acquisition. The results of the data analysis provide support for the notion of a single syntactic processor in L2 acquisition.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.A Shared Grammatical Workspace in language processing
  • 3.The perspective on SLA – Processability Theory & the Multiple Constraints Hypothesis
    • 1Argument structure
    • 2Functional structure
    • 3Constituent structure
    • 4The lexicon
  • 4.An integrated perspective on encoding and decoding in SLA
  • 5.The acquisition of the passive in comprehension and production
    • 5.1The passive in LFG and PT
    • 5.2Minimal requirements in production and comprehension
  • 6.The study – Research design and results
    • 6.1Tasks for data elicitation
    • 6.2Data analysis
    • 6.3Results
      • 6.3.1Stages of acquisition
      • 6.3.2Production data: Passive
      • 6.3.3Comprehension data: Passive
      • 6.3.4Relating comprehension and production data
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
References (90)
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