The Cambridge Handbook of Second Language Acquisition (Cambridge Handbooks in Language and Linguistics)

Edited By Julia Herschensohn , Martha Young-Scholten

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1107007712 ISBN 13: 9781107007710

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2013

What is language and how can we investigate its acquisition by children or adults? What perspectives exist from which to view acquisition? What internal constraints and external factors shape acquisition? What are the properties of interlanguage systems? This comprehensive 31-chapter handbook is an authoritative survey of second language acquisition (SLA). Its multi-perspective synopsis on recent developments in SLA research provides significant contributions by established experts and widely recognized younger talent. It covers cutting-edge and emerging areas of enquiry not treated elsewhere in a single handbook, including third language acquisition, electronic communication, incomplete first language acquisition, alphabetic literacy and SLA, affect and the brain, discourse, and identity. Written to be accessible to newcomers as well as experienced scholars of SLA, the Handbook is organised into six thematic sections, each with an editor-written introduction.

Review:

'This volume is a comprehensive overview of this interdisciplinary field: readable and yet uncompromising on accuracy; historically broad while detailed on recent and future research; and theoretically deep while reflecting a plurality of approaches. It will stand out for many years to come as a landmark in developmental linguistics and will be an essential reference tool for researchers and students alike.' Antonella Sorace, University of Edinburgh

'Herschensohn and Young-Scholten have compiled an impressive array of essays on a variety of topics. This is one of the most comprehensive overviews of SLA to date.' Bill VanPatten, Michigan State University

'... an excellent source of material for scholars and students of linguistics ... this volume would be an excellent addition to college and university libraries that offer programmes in second languages or linguistics.' Reference Reviews

Book Description:

This comprehensive handbook is an authoritative survey of second language acquisition (SLA). It covers cutting-edge and emerging areas of enquiry not treated elsewhere in a single handbook, including third language acquisition, electronic communication, incomplete first language acquisition, alphabetic literacy and SLA, affect and the brain, discourse, and identity.