Negation in early L2: a “window” on language genesis

Early second language has been defined as a restricted linguistic system that can offer a “window” on language genesis. In this paper, I model the acquisition of negation by L2 (adult) learners as a sequence of constraint rankings in the framework of Optimality Theory. The rankings shift from pragmatics via conventionalization of negation as a focus operator to syntax. Early language is argued to follow the same path. The transition from protolanguage to language is located in the shift from pragmatic combinations of symbols to semantic recursion over propositions as visible in the use of negation as a truth-functional operator. In this view, semantic recursion precedes and drives syntactic recursion. 1. Negation, L2 and language genesis Section 1 sketches the background and basic assumptions of the research. We establish the study of restricted linguistic systems as a possible “window” on language genesis (section 1.1). The empirical phenomenon studied in this paper is negation. Section 1.2 motivates this choice in terms of the relevance of a study of semantic recursion for the debate on language genesis. The transition from a protolanguage not involving the concept of proposition to a language stage in which semantic recursion over propositions is visible in the use of negation can be modeled in Optimality Theory (OT) (section 1.3). OT has a clear concept of language acquisition that we will take to apply to L2 acquisition as well (section 1.4). Section 2 proceeds with a detailed study of negation in L2 acquisition, based on the data collected in the so-called ESF project (Perdue 1993). The ESF project actually involves two European projects on adult L2 acquisition ‘The structure of learner varieties and ‘The dynamics of learner varieties’, and a number of spin offs. The ESF project coordinates research teams from different European universities.