Abstract#2 The theoretical significance of Universal Grammar in second language acquisition by Roger Hawkins University of Essex
The theory of a universal grammar according to Chomsky implies that there is a subconscious innate ability to acquire language. UG is part of the human biologically endowed language faculty.Hawkins agrees with this theory involving also L2. He states that research based on ' poverty of stimulus' phenomena theory confirms that L2 is UG grammar derived. But he is in favor of difference-oriented research to find more specific data to define the role of UG in S2 acquisition.
Based on the differences between the acquisition of L1 and L2, L1 is a " genetically-determined language, L2 is a consciously learned language, I would argue that SLA does belong to the category of UG in so far as jumping belongs to walking. After children have managed to walk they can build on this ability and start to skip or jump on two legs, one leg, whatever, as long as it is in the biological determined range of body functions. How well an adult L 2 learner will acquire a foreign language does not depend on how well he or she speaks the native language but how conscious and knowledgeable he or she is of grammar,language structure, and phonology in L1. When I taught German to adults I noticed a big difference between learners who either knew the grammar of their L1, or had previously studied a different L2 and learners who had not studied grammar and basic properties of their L1. UG is the basic of language but, to me, it seems irrelevant to determine the degree of involvement.
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