Difference between revisions of "Firth-Wagner2007"

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|DOI=10.1111/j.1540-4781.2007.00667.x
 
|DOI=10.1111/j.1540-4781.2007.00667.x
 
|Note=Republication from The Modern Language Journal, 81, 1997, 285-300.
 
|Note=Republication from The Modern Language Journal, 81, 1997, 285-300.
|Abstract=This article argues for a reconceptualization of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) resear
+
|Abstract=This article argues for a reconceptualization of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research that would enlarge the ontological and empirical parameters of the field. We claim that methodologies, theories, and foci within SLA reflect an imbalance between cognitive and mentalistic orientations, and social and contextual orientations to language, the former orientation being unquestionably in the ascendancy. This has resulted in a skewed perspective on discourse and communication, which conceives of the foreign language speaker as a deficient communicator struggling to overcome an underdeveloped L2 competence, striving to reach the “target” competence of an idealized native speaker (NS). We contend that SLA research requires a significantly enhanced awareness of the contextual and interactional dimensions of language use, an increased “emic” (i.e., participant‐relevant) sensitivity towards fundamental concepts, and the broadening of the traditional SLA data base. With such changes in place, the field of SLA has the capacity to become a theoretically and methodologically richer, more robust enterprise, better able to explicate the processes of second or foreign language (S/FL) acquisition, and better situated to engage with and contribute to research commonly perceived to reside outside its boundaries.
that would enlarge the ontological and empirical parameters of the field. We claim that methologies, theories, and foci within SLA reflect an imbalance between cognitive and mental orientations, and social and contextual orientations to language, the former orientation be unquestionably in the ascendancy. This has resulted in a skewed perspective on discourse communication, which conceives of the foreign language speaker as a deficient communtor struggling to overcome an underdeveloped L2 competence, striving to reach the "targ competence of an idealized native speaker (NS). We contend that SLA research requires significantly enhanced awareness of the contextual and interactional dimensions of language use, an increased "emic" (i.e., participant-relevant) sensitivity towards fundamental conce and the broadening of the traditional SLA data base. With such changes in place, the fie of SLA has the capacity to become a theoretically and methodologically richer, more ro enterprise, better able to explicate the processes of second or foreign language (S/FL) acquisition, and better situated to engage with and contribute to research commonly perceive reside outside its boundaries.
 
 
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Latest revision as of 08:23, 19 November 2019

Firth-Wagner2007
BibType ARTICLE
Key Firth-Wagner2007
Author(s) Alan Firth, Johannes Wagner
Title On discourse, communication, and (some) fundamental concepts in SLA research
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, IL, Second language acquisition
Publisher
Year 2007
Language
City
Month
Journal The Modern Language Journal
Volume 91
Number S1
Pages 757–772
URL Link
DOI 10.1111/j.1540-4781.2007.00667.x
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

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Abstract

This article argues for a reconceptualization of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research that would enlarge the ontological and empirical parameters of the field. We claim that methodologies, theories, and foci within SLA reflect an imbalance between cognitive and mentalistic orientations, and social and contextual orientations to language, the former orientation being unquestionably in the ascendancy. This has resulted in a skewed perspective on discourse and communication, which conceives of the foreign language speaker as a deficient communicator struggling to overcome an underdeveloped L2 competence, striving to reach the “target” competence of an idealized native speaker (NS). We contend that SLA research requires a significantly enhanced awareness of the contextual and interactional dimensions of language use, an increased “emic” (i.e., participant‐relevant) sensitivity towards fundamental concepts, and the broadening of the traditional SLA data base. With such changes in place, the field of SLA has the capacity to become a theoretically and methodologically richer, more robust enterprise, better able to explicate the processes of second or foreign language (S/FL) acquisition, and better situated to engage with and contribute to research commonly perceived to reside outside its boundaries.

Notes

Republication from The Modern Language Journal, 81, 1997, 285-300.