Language Learner language and Language Learning Processes Lector: Silja Fehn SoSe 2007 Presentation by: Dominik Emas Date: Pidginisation and Fossilisation

Structure I.Recap on Interlanguage II.Definition - Pidginisation and Fossilisation III.Theoretical background IV.Pidgin Hawaiin English V.Conclusion VI.Sources 1.Selinker’s observations 2.“Acculturation model” by Schumann 3.Factors for/against Fossilisation

I.Recap Interlanguage  Influenced by L1 and L2  Error in learner language influenced by L1  Highly individual  Assumptions - individual grammar - this grammar can be influenced - restructuring - outcome - overgeneralisation of rules - Fossilisation

II.Definition  Fossilisation Fossilisation is a permanent cessation of Interlanguage learning before the learner has attained Target Language norms at all levels of linguistic structure [...]. (Selinker, 1978)  Pidginisation Pidginisation is the inital restructuring of a language by a group of learners; this entails structural reduction and substrate transfer. (McWhorter, 1995)

III.Theoretical backround 1.Selinker’s observations cognitive mechanism (Fossilisation machanism) (1972) performance-related structural phenomenon (1972) permanent cessation of IL learning (1978) ultimate fossilized competence (1996)

III.Theoretical backround 2.“Acculturation model” by Schumann - “Alberto” – A case study - 33-year-old Costa Rican - speech was monitored for a period of 10 month - variation in free expression, natural settings, tests Negation: ‘no’ + V = I no understand goog 85% accuracy for plural ‘s’ regular past tense 7% and irregular past 65% - Results: - development of own lingua franca – Pidgin! - structural reduction e.g.

III.Theoretical backround 2.“Acculturation model” by Schumann Schumann’s reasons for Alberto’s Fossilisation Dominance - L2 users may dominate the L1 group - L2 users may be dominated by the L1 group - L2 users may be on an equal footing Enclosure - L2 group may live separately from the L1 group Integration - L2 users may decide to assimilate to the L1 group - L2 users may decide to maintain their own culture > Sociological reasons <

III.Theoretical backround 3.Factors for/against Fossilisation - sociological situations - affective factors - amount of exposure - input - opportunities of expression - negative feedback - absence or presence of pressure on communication - age

IV.Pidgin Hawaiin English Old nursery rhyme in Pidgin Hawaii Dere waz one ol Tutu Stay living in one slippah She get choke kids Planny braddahs one sistah She geev um lau lau But no mo da poi Den broke dere okoles And sent dem moi moi Translation into “normal“ English There was one old grandmother She was living in just one shoe She got a lot of kids Plenty brothers and sister She gave them beaf But no more poi Than she slaped their butts And sent them to sleep

V.Conclusion  Success in L2 acquisition depends on the degree of social and psychological distance between the learner and the target language and culture

VI.Sources  Shapira, R. G. (1978). The Non-Learning of English: Case study of an Adult. Pp. 246 – 255  Ellis (1997). Pp. 39 – 42  Han, Z. (2004). Fossilization in Adult Second Language Aquisition. Multilingual Matters LTD, Clevedon 