“L” Stands for Language

Abstract

A key premise of a transdisciplinary perspective on SLA, as articulated by the Douglas Fir Group (2016), is the usage-based approach to language acquisition. In this commentary, I make the case for a generative linguistic theory-based approach to language acquisition. While both approaches are at the cognitive core of the development process, I show that experience-based predictions are sometimes challenged by theory-based predictions. I argue that while experience with language is responsible for the bulk of acquisition, there are cases where a grammar-based theory provides superior explanations. In addition, the generative framework presents a holistic, organic picture of speaker competence while also offering explanations of why performance may under-represent competence.