The Role of Theory in SLA Empirical Research on the Critical Period Hypothesis

Paige Yi

doi:10.52214/salt.v21i1.8396

Abstract

This paper sets out to peruse the role of various theories or more precisely, hypotheses invoked in SLA research by surveying three empirical studies pertaining to the critical period hypothesis in the SLA of phonetics and phonology. In particular, the three studies which will be reviewed in the next section are titled in chronological order as (1) A critical period for learning to pronounce foreign languages? (Flege, 1987); (2) Reexamining the critical period hypothesis: A case study of successful adult SLA in a naturalistic environment. (Ioup et al., 1994); (3) Ultimate attainment in L2 Phonology: The Critical Factors of Age, Motivation, and Instruction (Moyer, 1999).

Highlights

The construct of theory is a value-laden one, with its time-honored Ancient Greek root denoting viewing and beholding, whose derivatives allude to contemplation and speculation, as well as its modern sense, “an intelligible explanation based upon observation and reasoning”
This paper sets out to peruse the role of various theories or more precisely, hypotheses invoked in SLA research by surveying three empirical studies pertaining to the critical period hypothesis in the SLA of phonetics and phonology
The three studies which will be reviewed are titled in chronological order as (1) A critical period for learning to pronounce foreign languages? (Flege, 1987); (2) Reexamining the critical period hypothesis: A case study of successful adult SLA in a naturalistic environment. (Ioup et al, 1994); (3) Ultimate attainment in L2 Phonology: The Critical Factors of Age, Motivation, and Instruction (Moyer, 1999)

Summary

Introduction

The construct of theory is a value-laden one, with its time-honored Ancient Greek root denoting viewing and beholding, whose derivatives allude to contemplation and speculation, as well as its modern sense, “an intelligible explanation based upon observation and reasoning” (theory, n.d., para. 2). This paper sets out to peruse the role of various theories or more precisely, hypotheses invoked in SLA research by surveying three empirical studies pertaining to the critical period hypothesis in the SLA of phonetics and phonology.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion