Transfer from LI to L2: A study of parameter values in the Afrikaans of a child L2 learner

Abstract

Linguistics is concerned with explaining what natural languages are, what it is about human beings that makes them know a language, and how they are able to acquire and use their specific linguistic abilities (Webelhuth 1995:3). In answering these questions, Chomsky developed the concept Universal Grammar (UG). UG is the system of principles, conditions, and rules that are elements or properties of all human languages...the essence ofhuman (Chomsky 1976:29). The central claim of Chomsky's theory is that children are bom equipped with knowledge of the principles that apply to all languages. These universal principles are associated with sets of variable options known as 'parameters'. The settings, or values, of the parameters can vary from one language to another (Cook & Newson 1996:2). When acquiring a language, a child needs to learn only which parameter value to select for each principle of UG. In short, language knowledge can be described as knowing the principles of UG and knowing which parameter settings are appropriate for the language in question.