The Nature of Age Effects
in Second Language Acquisition
David Birdsong
University of Texas
birdsong@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
Age Effects in L2A:
Overview
Age effects can be distinguished from "critical period" and maturational effects.
Age Effects in L2A:
Overview
(2) There are age effects that are biological in nature; there are age-related effects that are not biological in nature. Age effects of both types can be moderated.
Age Effects in L2A:
Overview
(3) L1 effects: Are age-related but in principle distinct from age effects. Two types of L1 effects:
> Specific: different L1's are associated with different age functions
> General: negative correlation of L1 representational entrenchment with L2 proficiency; general age effect normally co-varies with AoA
Consider: What if general L1 effects were "subtracted", yielding less-confounded age effects
Age Effects in L2A:
Overview
(4) From the nature of age effects to the nature of (non-)nativelikeness.
(4A) What are the upper limits of L2A at the end state

> Narrow versus comprehensive nativelikeness
> Upper limits of learning versus upper limits of processing
> What L2ers (typically) don't do versus what they cannot do

Consider: Study late L2-dominant subjects to establish upper limits of late L2A; L2-dominants better exemplify what learners CAN do
Age Effects in L2A:
Overview
(4) From the nature of age effects to the nature of (non-)nativelikeness.
(4B) Does AoA define the upper limits of L2A


> In bilingualism, the L1 and the L2 influence one another. Apparent deficits in learning/processing ability may be mistaken for the nature of bilingualism: What are thought to be age-constrained limits of L2A are reflections of the inherent limits of bilingualism.
Consider: Using nativelikeness as a descriptive benchmark for upper limits research instead of non-nativelikeness as decisive evidence for learning deficits/CPH

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