An optimality theoretic analysis of ESL coda acquisition by Vietnamese learners

Abstract

This thesis is a case study of Optimality Theory (OT) analysis in English second language (hereafter, ESL) coda acquisition. OT can contribute to account for conflicts of constraint rankings in areas of interlanguage development. In this case study of ESL Vietnamese, OT is applied into the previous studies on coda production to account for rates of production types, asymmetry between onset and coda contrasts as well as variation during the acquisition process. The question arises as to how to figure out the acquisition process of ESL Vietnamese based on the analysis of OT. The essential theories which deal with ESL Vietnamese involve OT and some other models, such as Partially Ordered Constraints (POC), and positional faithfulness. Upon application, the results suggest that OT analysis in ESL Vietnamese can resolve the conflicts of constraint rankings on coda productions. Furthermore, the model POC can generally resolve variation of ESL coda production in investigated stages.