Abstract Pienemann

The L2 lexicon is a key component of Processability Theory (Pienemann 1998; 2005), a theory of L2 development. In this paper I will demonstrate that L2 developmental trajectories are determined by the gradual annotation of features of the L2 lexicon and that this annotation process proceeds following general constraints on processability. The gradual annotation of the L2 lexicon in conjunction with constraints on processability also impact on L1 transfer. I will demonstrate that these lexical and processing aspects of L2 development override aspects of typological distance.

References

Pienemann, M. 1998. Language processing and second language development: Processability Theory. Benjamins: Amsterdam.

Pienemann, M. 2005 (Ed.). Cross-linguistic aspects of Processability Theory. John Benjamins: Amsterdam