Processability theory and Japanese as a second language

Satomi Kawaguchi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    This paper provides an overview of the original version of Processability Theory (PT; Pienemann, 1998) and introduces current developments in the extension of PT (Pienemann, Di Biase and Kawaguchi in press). PT is a processing-oriented approach to second language development. The original version of PT defines second language development using the concept of information exchange and proposes that interlanguage develops in the following order of processing procedures: lexical, phrasal, inter-phrasal and inter-clausal. However, PT's predictive range for L2 morphosyntax was mainly concerned with accounting for obligatory operations such as agreement phenomena and word order rules. The extension of PT adds the developmental dimension of speaker induced discourse-pragmatic choices (e.g., passive, topicalisation) and their marking in syntactic and morphological structure. This expansion of PT is especially useful to characterize development of L2 Japanese syntax. Data from Japanese L2 studies is presented in support of the hypotheses derived from the extension of PT. Finally, some implications of PT for second language pedagogy are discussed in conjunction with Pienemann's Teachability Hypothesis (Pienemann 1984, 1988, 1998) and the 'developmentally moderated syllabus design' (Di Biase 2005).
    Original languageEnglish
    Number of pages33
    JournalAcquisition of Japanese as a second language
    Publication statusPublished - 2005

    Keywords

    • Processability Theory
    • Second language acquisition
    • developmental readiness
    • teachability
    • syntax-pragmatic interface

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