The Role of Formal Features in Second Language Acquisition [Hardcover]

Using Chomsky's minimalist program as a framework, this volume explores the role of formal (or functional) features in current descriptions and accounts of language acquistion. In engaging, up-to-date articles, distinguished experts examine the role of features in current versions of generative grammar and in learnibility theory as it relates to native, non-native, and impaired acquisition.Contents: Introduction: Formal Features in Linguistic Theory and Learnability: The View From Second Language Acquisition. Part I: Linguistic Theory and Learnability.L. Travis, The Role of Features in Syntactic Theory and Language Variation. C. Platzack, Uninterpretable Features and EPP: A Minimalist Account of Language Build-Up and Break-Down. A. Radford, Feature Correlations in Nominative Case-Marking in L1, L2 and Native English. D. Lardiere, Feature-Assembly in Second Language Acquisition. Part II: Determiner Phrase Related Features. I.M. Tsimpli, M. Mastropavlou, Feature-Interpretability in L2 Acquisition and SLI: Greek Clitics and Determiners. C. Jakubowicz, L. Roulet, Narrow Syntax or Interface Deficit? Gender Agreement in French SLI. T. Ionin, H. Ko, K. Wexler, The Role of Semantic Features in the Acquisition of English Articles by Russian and Korean Speakers. J.B. de Garavito, Acquisition of the Spanish Plural by French L1 Speakers: The Role of Transfer. Part III:Inflection Phrase and Aspect Phrase-Related Related Features. Section 1: Finiteness, Agreement, and Tense. L. White, Some Puzzling Features of L2 Features. R. Hawkins, G. Casillas, H. Hattori, J. HawthornelÓ,