Interface hypothesis

The interface hypothesis in adult second language acquisition is an attempt to explain non-target-like linguistic behavior that persists even among highly advanced speakers. The hypothesis was first put forward by Antonella Sorace.[1]

The hypothesis posits that for adult second language learners, acquiring grammatical properties within a given linguistic area, such as phonology, syntax, or semantics, should not be problematic. Interfacing between those modules, such as communicating between the syntax and semantic systems, should likewise be feasible. However, grammatical operations where the speaker is required to interface between an internal component of the grammar, and an external component, such as pragmatics or discourse information, will prove to be very difficult, and will not be acquired completely by the second language learner, even at very advanced levels.

Examples of phenomena argued to be influenced by the interface hypothesis include use of overt vs. null subjects, as well as use of subject placement before or after the verb to mark focus vs. using prosody, in languages like Italian by native English speakers.[2]

## Further reading

[edit]

* Sorace, A. (2011). Pinning down the concept of “interface” in bilingualism. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism, 1(1), 1-33. [1]
* Sorace, A. and Filiaci, F. (2006). Anaphora resolution in near-native speakers of Italian. Second Language Research: 339-368.
* Tsimpli, I.M. and Sorace, A. (2006). Differentiating Interfaces: L2 performance in syntax-semantics and syntax-discourse phenomena. BUCLD Proceedings 30: 653-664.
* Sorace, A. (2003). Near-Nativeness. In M. Long and C. Doughty (eds.), Handbook of Second Language Acquisition, 130-152. Oxford: Blackwell.

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Second-language acquisition

General|

* Outline
* Common misconceptions

Subfields|

* Attrition
* Classroom research
* Education
* Phonology
* Writing

Learners|

* Multilingualism
* Heritage language
* Multi-competence

Learner language|

* Contrastive analysis
* Contrastive rhetoric
* Error (linguistics)
* Error analysis
* Error treatment
* Interlanguage
* Silent period

Linguistic factors|

* Language transfer
* Linguistic universal
* Word lists by frequency

Individual variation|

* Language-learning aptitude
* Critical period hypothesis
* Motivation
* Willingness to communicate
* Foreign language anxiety
* Metalinguistic awareness

Strategies|

* Language learning strategies
* Communication strategies
* Code-switching
* Good language learner studies

SLA hypotheses|

* Competition model
* Comprehensible output
* Connectionism
* Dynamic Systems Theory
* Generative second-language acquisition
* Input hypothesis
* Interaction hypothesis
* Interface hypothesis
* Interface position
* Noticing hypothesis
* Processability theory
* Order of acquisition
* Skill-based theories

In the classroom|

* Focus on form
* Input enhancement

Aptitude tests|

* MLAT
* DLAB
* PLAB
* CANAL-F

Notable researchers|

* Alderson
* Argüelles
* Bialystok
* Carroll
* Crossley
* Csizér
* Cumming
* de Bot
* Brown
* Bygate
* Corder
* van Dijk
* Dörnyei
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* Ellis
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* Flynn
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* Green
* Grosjean
* Guardado
* Harding
* Jarvis
* Johnson
* Kormos
* Krashen
* Kroll
* Larsen-Freeman
* Li
* Long
* Lowie
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* MacWhinney
* Manchón
* Marian
* Matsuda
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* Meisel
* Myers-Scotton
* Nation
* Ortega
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* Schmidt
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* Slobin
* Storch
* Swain
* Terrell
* Ullman
* Vaid
* VanPatten
* Verspoor
* White
* Wray
* Yip

Associations|

* European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing
* EUROSLA

Computational tools|

* Coh-Metrix
* L2 Syntactic Complexity Analyzer

Journals|

* Applied Linguistics
* Bilingualism: Language and Cognition
* Language Learning
* Language Testing
* Journal of Second Language Writing
* System
* TESOL Journal
* TESOL Quarterly
* The Modern Language Journal

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Doughty, Catherine (2003). Handbook of Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Blackwell. pp. 130–152.
2. ^ Belletti, Bennati and Sorace (2007). "Theoretical and developmental issues in the syntax of subjects: Evidence from near-native Italian". Natural Language and Linguistic Theory. 25 (4): 657. doi:10.1007/s11049-007-9026-9.

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