第二语言学习中的年龄差异_英语论文

The Age Factor in Second Language Acquisition

摘要

目前，越来越多的人学习第二外语，而年龄问题是影响第二外语习得的重要因素之一。众多学科的学者把它当做“热点”问题讨论。本文从临界期假说入手，分析总结支持和反对的观点，来证实临界期假说的真实性。继而分析成人和儿童在学习第二语言时，在发音，语法和词汇方面的差异。实验表明，不同年龄段的人在学习中确实存在各自的特点。最后从神经学，社会心理学，认知能力和情感因素这四个方面讨论了年龄差异对人们学习的影响。

关键词：关键期假说；第二语言学习；差异

Abstract

More and more people start learning a second language, and the age factor is one of the most important factors in the second language learning. Many scholars consider it as a heated problem. This thesis addresses the theory of Critical Period Hypothesis and analyzes different opinions from scholars to confirm the authenticity of the CPH. Then, this thesis exposes the comparisons between adults and children in SLA from three language learning factors (pronunciation, grammar and lexis). People of different ages have their own characteristics in learning. At last, it discusses how age difference affects people in learning from neurology, social-psychology, cognitive ability and affective factor.

Key words：The Critical Period Hypothesis; the second language learning; difference 

Contents

Introduction 2

1. The Critical Period Hypothesis 3

1.1 Definition of Critical Period Hypothesis 3

1.2 Research in favor of Critical Period Hypothesis 4

1.3 Criticism against Critical Period Hypothesis 5

2. Comparisons between children and adults in SLA 6

2.1 Pronunciation 6

2.2 Grammar 7

2.3 Lexis 8

3. Explanations for the age difference in learning 9

3.1 Neurological difference 9

3.2 Social-psychological difference 11

3.2 Cognitive ability 12

3.3 Affective factors 13

3.3.1 Schumann’s view 13

3.3.2 Brown’s opinion 14

3.3.3 Neufeld’s view 14

Conclusion 15

References 16