WK2 L3: Critical Period

• What are the two main perspectives on language acquisition discussed?

  • Nature: Biological factors influencing language acquisition
  • Nurture: Environmental factors influencing language acquisition
• What is the term used for Developmental Language Disorder?


  Specific Language Impairment (SLI)
• What is the significance of identical and non-identical twins in language acquisition studies?


  They help in understanding the genetic versus environmental influences on language development.
• What is the KE Family known for in the context of language acquisition?


  They are studied for their specific language impairments.
• What does the term FOXP2 refer to in language studies?


  It is often referred to as the "language gene" or "grammar gene".
• Why is the concept of a single gene for Developmental Language Disorder considered misleading?


  Because DLD is polygenic and associated with many genetic variants, each with tiny effect sizes.
• What are the key points summarized about the nature aspect of language acquisition?


  • DLD has a heritable biological basis.
  • Language has a nature component.
  • There isn’t a single language gene.
  • Genes play a significant role in language acquisition.
• What is the critical period hypothesis in language acquisition?


  It suggests there is a specific time frame during which language input is necessary for full language mastery.
• Who is Genie in the context of language acquisition studies?


  She is a case study of a girl who experienced total isolation until the age of 13.
• What was the outcome of Genie's language learning after her isolation?


  She managed to learn some language but struggled with complex grammar.
• What aspects of language did Genie manage to learn?


  She learned phonology, semantics, and some morphosyntax.
• What does the critical period hypothesis suggest about language input and age?


  If language input is not received during a critical period, full command of language may never be achieved.
• What are the findings from Newport (1990) regarding deaf children and ASL?


  • Native ASL signers exposed to ASL between ages 0-3 showed better grammar.
  • Those exposed between ages 4-6 had basic grammar skills.
  • Late learners (after age 12) had significantly poorer grammar.
• What is the significance of the studies discussed regarding native language (L1) and second language (L2) acquisition?


  They highlight the differences in critical periods for mastering L1 and L2.
• What did Johnson & Newport (1989) study focus on?


  Grammaticality judgments of sentences by Korean/Chinese participants in the US.
• What was the focus of Flege et al. (1999) in their study?


  Accent rating of Korean speakers who moved to the US at different ages.
• What was the scope of Hartshorne et al. (2018) study?


  • Grammaticality judgments of 95 sentences.
  • Included 669,498 participants.
  • Compared monolinguals, simultaneous bilinguals, and late learners.
• How does linguistic distance affect critical periods in L2 acquisition?


  Critical periods in L2 acquisition depend on the linguistic distance between the native and target languages.
• What is the overall conclusion regarding language acquisition from the study material?


  • Earlier language acquisition is generally better.
  • Multiple critical windows exist for L2 acquisition.
  • Exact cut-offs for language learning may be later than previously thought.