Age and Accent in a Second Language: A Reply to James Emil Flege

Mark S. Patkowski

246 citations0/0 files storedApplied Linguistics

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Phonetics and Phonology Research EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning Language Development and Disorders

Abstract

This article responds to the arguments raised against the Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH) by James Emil Flege in ’A Critical Period for Learning to Pronounce Foreign Languages?’ published in Applied Linguistics (8/2). An examination of the relevant literature leads to the conclusion that there is sufficient evidence to support the notion of an age-based limitation on eventual proficiency that can be attained by learners in a second language. It is argued that Flege did not represent the CPH entirely accurately, and that convincing counter-evidence to the CPH has not been presented. It is further argued that there is enough evidence to show that child second language acquirers are indeed superior in terms of ultimate ability, so that rejection of the CPH is unjustified at this time.

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References

1967The Biological Foundations of Language 1989Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning 1989Critical period effects in second language learning: The influence of maturational state on the acquisition of English as a second language 1979Cognitive/Academic Language Proficiency, Linguistic Interdependence, the Optimum Age Question and Some Other Matters. Working Papers on Bilingualism, No. 19.1976A sensitive period for the acquisition of a nonnative phonological system 1987Age and Rate of Acquisition of Second Language for Academic Purposes 1978The Critical Period for Language Acquisition: Evidence from Second Language Learning 1987Competence Differences Between Native and Near-Native Speakers

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