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The 'Comparative Logic' and Why We Need to Explain Interlanguage Grammars
Laura Domínguez1, María J Arche2
1Modern Languages and Linguistics, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Psychology
|November 11, 2021
Summary
The Comparative Fallacy in second-language acquisition (SLA) research is unfounded. Grammatical comparisons with native speakers are necessary for meaningful SLA explanations, a principle termed
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
Background:
- Bley-Vroman's Comparative Fallacy advises against comparing native speakers and learners in SLA research.
- This fallacy may hinder the explanatory power of SLA studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the theoretical and methodological basis of the Comparative Fallacy.
- To advocate for the necessity of comparative analysis in SLA research for robust explanations.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical argumentation against the Comparative Fallacy.
- Proposing an alternative framework: 'Comparative Logic' for SLA research.
Main Results:
- The Comparative Fallacy is not justifiable and obstructs SLA research.
- Comparative analysis, using native speakers as a baseline, is essential for understanding interlanguage grammars.
Conclusions:
- The Comparative Fallacy should be abandoned in SLA research.
- Embracing 'Comparative Logic' allows for the analysis of interlanguage grammars on their own terms.
- Investigating native speaker comparisons and linguistic-cognitive deficits is crucial for advancing SLA.
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