1、Internal Factors in SLA 1. Introduction 2. Theoretical Framework 3. Competition Model and SLA 4. Advantage and Defect5. Conclusion 1. Introduction The competition Model is proposed by Mac- Whinney, Bates and Kligell. Like other funcitionalist models, the Competition Model is a performance not a comp

2、etence model. it seeks to account for the kind of knowledge that underlies real-time processing in real-world language behavior.1. Introduction According to Competition Model, the learners grammer is viwed as an emergent property resulting from interaction between input and cognitive mechanisms rela

3、ting to perceptual abilities, channel capacity, and memory.2. Theoretical Framework 2.1 Form-function Mappings 2.2 Cue 2.3 Cue Competition 2.4 Cue Strength2. Theoretical Framework The core idea of Competition Model is Form-function Mappings. As MacWhinney, Bates and Kligell put it: The forms of natu

4、ral languages are created, governed, and constrained, acquired and used in the service of communicative functions. 2.1 Form-function Mappings2. Theoretical Framework 2.1 Form-function MappingsLanguagefunctional levelformal levelcommunicative intentionsurface formagent, patient, topicmorphology, word

5、 order2. Theoretical Framework 2.1 Form-function Mappings communicationproduction of languageinterpretation of languageformal levelfunctional levelformal levelfunctional level2. Theoretical Framework 2.1 Form-function Mappings Any one form may realize a number of functions and, conversely, any one f

6、unction can be realized through a number of forms. The learners task is to discover the particular form-function mappings that characterize the target language.2. Theoretical Framework 2.2 Cue Form-function mappings can be achieved by a lot of cues or devices. There are four types cues. 1) Phonology

7、: stress e.g. Sam hit Jerry on the side, and he squashed Tony into the pool. 2) Morphonogy: number, case, agreement e.g. Money they like. 2. Theoretical Framework 2.2 Cues 3) Syntax: word order e.g. Mary kissed John. 4) Semantics: animacy e.g. This book Mary likes a lot.2. Theoretical Framework 2.3

8、Cue Competition Any one language is likely to utilize several devices for signaling a particular function, which results in the cue competition. e.g. That lecturer we like a lot.t h e s t r o n g e s t candidate for agent the weakest candidate for angent2. Theoretical Framework 2.3 Cue Competition T

9、he task facing the L2 learner is to discover 1) which forms are used to realize which functions in the L2 2) what weights to attach to the use of individual forms in the performance of specific functions.2. Theoretical Framework 2.4 Cue Strength The cue strength is determinged by several factors: 1)

10、 cue reliability The extent to which a cue always maps the same form on to the same function 2) cue availability How often the cue is available in the input. 3) conflict validity Whether a cue wins or loses when it appears in the competitive environment.2. Theoretical Framework 2.4 Cue Strength McDo

11、nald proposed a learning-on-error model, which attempts to specify how learners use the information available from cues to construct their language systems. This model suggests that weights attached to specific form-function mappings are changed when the learner interprets an input cue incorrectly a

12、nd is subsequently provided with feedback. This may account for the developmenal shift noted in the L1 acquisition from an initial dependence on cue reliability/ availability to dependence on conflict validity. 3. Competition Model and SLA Competition Model framework provides several tools for under

13、standing second language learning. First, the underlying functionalists model of language processing makes direct predictions about the input on the course of acquisition of specific structures in comprehension and production. Second, it emphasizes the role of transfer, automatization, and parasitis

14、m in learning of the L2. Advantage4. Advantage and DefectDefect This model provides the convincing account of the number of aspects of L2 acquistion includ- ing the role of the L1, the effect of input and the gradual way in which native-like ability is acquired.The main weakness of the model is over-reliance on rather artificial interpreta- tion tasks.5. Conclusion The Competition Model is a psycholinguistic theory of language acquisition and sentence processing. It has been investigated by means of experimental syudies which elicited