Abstract

The age factor has been the focus of linguists in the field of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research. This paper introduces the current situation of the research of age and second language acquisition from the concept of Critical Period Hypothesis, the viewpoints of its supporters and opposers，and universal grammar, and analyzes characteristics of children and adults second language acquisition , and compares proficiency of second language acquisition between children and adults separately from the pronunciation acquisition, grammar acquisition, morphology and syntax acquisition, then discuss the reasons of age influence on second language acquisition from three aspects of the physiology, cognition and emotion. Finally, combined with the actual situation of language acquisition, some inspirations are given according to second language learning of the Chinese people, so that they have a deeper understanding of second language acquisition, and grasp second language better.

Key words: age; second language acquisition (SLA); optimal age; cognition

摘要

年龄因素一直是二语习得研究领域语言学家们关注的焦点。本文首先从关键期假说的概念，关键期理论支持派的观点和反对派的理由和普遍语法等两个方面对年龄与二语习得研究的现状进行了介绍，并分别对儿童与成人二语习得的特点进行了分析，而且又分别从语音习得，语法习得，词法和句法习得三个方面对儿童与成人在二语习得效果的优劣进行了比较.最后结合实际情况，针对我国学习第二语言的人们，给他们一些启示，使他们对二语习得有更深的了解，更好的掌握第二语言。

关键词：年龄因素；二语习得; 最佳年龄；认知