Do L2 Speakers’ Problems Originate in Syntax or Syntax-discourse Interface? ： Importance of the Study of Acquisition of Pronouns by English Speakers of L2 Japanese

Abstract

In this article the significance of the study focusing on the acquisition of pronouns byEnglish learners/speakers of L2 Japanese is discussed. The recent studies have reported thatoptionality is found even in the L2 grammar of near-native or advanced level learners(Sorace 1993, Robertson and Sorace 1999, Montul and Slabakova 2003, Hopp 2004).Optionality means that “two structures are used interchangeably by a single learner” (Bong2006: 3). If this is the case, does it mean that interlanguage grammar is not fully UGconstrained?Why does optionality exist ? Based on the L2 study of Perez-Leroux and Glass(1999), the possible study and its procedure, the hypotheses and expected results arediscussed including the theoretical background. The results would account for the role ofUG in L2 grammar, the role of L1 and fossilization to some extent. They also contribute tothe progress of both the SLA theory and UG theory.