The Universal Grammar Model and Second Language Acquisition

The model of language acquisition most associated with SLA research in recent years has been the Universal Grammar (UG) model developed by Chomsky, which uses the principles and parameters syntax described in the previous chapter. This association between linguistics and SLA research reveals some of the potential and some of the dangers involved in the adoption of a complex and specialised learning model. The present chapter introduces the main themes of current UG-related SLA research at the time of writing. The area is, however, vast and rapidly changing. Recent research on UG lines can usually be found in the journals Second Language Research and Studies in Second Language Acquisition.