L’apprendimento linguistico tra parametri e transfer

Abstract

This article investigates the relation between L1 and L2 in the light of the transfer phenomena. More precisely a revision of the UG notion and parameter is proposed on the basis of the mentalist model proposed within the bio-linguistic program in some recent works by Chomsky. The idea being discussed here is that parameterization is a phenomenon associated with the externalization of linguistic expressions in terms of lexical and morpho-syntactic properties, on the basis of the basic properties of language. The notion of language coincides with a specialized cognitive capability, i.e. the combinatory mechanism (Merge), whereas its application implies the interaction with the external interpretive systems, namely sensory-motor and conceptual-intentional systems. As a consequence, transfer, as depending on the morpho-lexical organization of languages, is a mechanism that does not call into question the cognitive nature of language. On the contrary, we have to look at transfer as the natural solution for the acquisition of L2.