The Neurofunctional Basis of Pattern Practice

Abstract

An explanation is proposed for the substantial failure of pattern-practice drills to equip most second language learners with the ability to automatically access Target Language grammatical knowledge in communicative interactions. The hypothesized explanation is based on the neurofunctional approach described in Lamendella (1977) and Selinker and Lamendella (1978). Relevant theoretical results of clinicopathological investigations in neurolinguistics include the existence of a dominant hemisphere Speech Copying Circuit which depends on functional interactions between those neocortical systems involved in the elaboration of auditory speech input and those neocortical systems involved in the control of articulatory speech output. Taken together, conduction aphasia and the transcortical aphasias point out the functional autonomy of the crosschannel speech processing circuit from higher-level language processing, and the special status of imitation, repetition, and certain forms of substitution and completion as distinct forms of speech behavior separable from propositional language. During mechanical pattern-practice drills, many second language learners may functionally disassociate the speech copying circuit from higherlevel language processing systems (and from the language acquisition process) as an efficient means of performing a repetitious cognitive task not related to communicative interactions.