6.4 Second Language Acquisition
Second language acquisition is the attempt to acquire a language while already competent in another. There is a distinction between a child being naturally exposed to two languages and a child or adult learning in a classroom setting. In terms of second language acquisition itself, linguistic structures such as syntax may be harder to grasp after a critical period. People also have less time and motivation to pursue language learning in earnest. In addition, the contrasts between L1 and L2 may aid or hinder acquisition. Generally, the more different L2 is from L1 in some feature, the more difficult it will be to learn.
Initial learning of L2 is good and then declines before the learner becomes more proficient (McLaughlin & Heredia, 1996). This decline is explained by the substitution of less complex internal representations with more complex ones. For example, the learner acquires the use of syntactic rules as opposed to repeating sentences by rote. The traditional method for second language teaching is based on translating from one language into another. On the other hand, direct learning involves learning conversational skills in L2. Some methods prefer speaking and listening over reading and writing. Immersive learning is a technique where all learning is conducted in L2.
In addition to various teaching methods, the characteristics of the individual learner also play a role in second language acquisition. Carroll (1981) identified four sources of variations:
- Phonetic coding ability: the ability to identify new phonemes in L2
- Grammatical sensitivity: the ability to recognise words in terms of their grammatical function
- Rote learning ability: the ability to learn through memorization and recall
- Inductive leaning ability: the ability to infer linguistic rules from the language
Pidgins and Creoles of Canada
Michif
The language of the Métis people of Canada and the United States. The Métis people are descendants of European fur traders (mainly French and Scottish) and First Nations women (mainly Cree, Nakota, and Ojibwe). It emerged in the 19th century as a mixed language. Michif is a mixture of Cree and French with additional borrowings from English, Ojibwe and Assiniboine. It has the noun phrase phonology, lexicon, morphology, and syntax of French and the verb phrase phonology, lexicon, morphology, and syntax of Plains Cree.
- Native to
- Canada
- Region
- Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario, Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota
- Native speakers
- 730
- Language family
- Mixed Cree–Métis French
- Language codes
Labrador Inuit Pidgin French
A French Pidgin spoken by Breton and Basque fisherman and the Inuit of Labrador.
- Native to
- Canada
- Region
- Straits of Belle Isle
- Native speakers
- Extinct
- Language family
- French Pidgin
- Language codes
- ISO 639-3: None
- Glottolog bell: 1264
- ELP: None
Chiac
A variety of Acadian French noted for its code-mixing with English, archaic phrases from Middle French and loan words from the Eastern Algonquian languages.
- Native to
- Canada
- Region
- Maritime provinces, mainly in southeastern New-Brunswick
- Native speakers
- Unknown
- Language family
- Indo-European
- Language codes
- ISO 639-3: None
- Glottolog bell: none
- ELP: None
- Linguasphere: 51-AAA-am
Bungi dialect
A dialect of English influenced by Scottish English, the Orcadian dialect of Scots, Norn, Scottish Gaelic, French, Cree, and Ojibwe. Spoken in modern-day Manitoba. In 1870, about 5,000 Métis were native speakers of Bungi but it has diminished to only a few speakers today making it potentially extinct.
- Native to
- Canada
- Region
- Red River Colony and Assiniboia, present-day Manitoba
- Native speakers
- approximately 5,000 in 1870; estimated less than 200 in 1993; possibly extinct
- Language family
- Indo-European
- Language codes
- ISO 639-3: None
- Glottolog: None
- ELP: None
Slavey Jargon
A traders language used in the Yukon region. This pidgin is based on the Slavey language with elements from French, Cree as well as aspects of English. The nouns generally consist of English, Chipewyan, and Slavey and the verbs and pronouns are from French.
- Native to
- Canada
- Region
- Yukon (Liard and Mackenzie rivers)
- Native speakers
- Extinct
- Language family
- Slavey-based pidgin
- Language codes
- ISO 639-3: None
- Glottolog: brok1250
- ELP: None
Algonquian–Basque pidgin
A pidgin based on Basque and Algonquin spoken around the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It was last recored in the early 18th century.
- Native to
- Canada
- Region
- Gulf of Saint Lawrence
- Native speakers
- Extinct since the 18th century
- Language family
- Basque-based pidgin
- Language codes
- ISO 639-3: None
- Glottolog: basq1252
- ELP: None
Chinook Jargon
A language originating from a pidgin trade language in the Pacific Northwest. It is partially descended from Chinook with loan words from French and English. British Columbian English and Pacific Northwest English have several words still in current use which are loanwords from the Chinook Jargon.
- Native to
- Canada, United States
- Region
- Pacific Northwest (Interior and Coast): Alaska, British Columbia, Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Northern California
- Native speakers
- More than 640 with at least 3 native speakers
- Language family
- Wakashan, Chinookan, and Indo-European
- Language codes
- ISO 639-3: chn
- Glottolog: pidg1254, chin1272
- ELP: Chinook Wawa
The acquisition of a language in addition to one’s L1 (or native) language.