The Usage-based Study of Language Learning and Multilingualism

Download or read book The Usage-based Study of Language Learning and Multilingualism written by Lourdes Ortega and published by Georgetown University Press. This book was released on 2016-05-16 with total page 307 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Usage-based linguistics, which is currently very popular, bases its understanding of language on two key points: Languages are cognitive-social constructs (i.e., learned vs genetically endowed), and, in order for communication and meaning to happen, speakers must find a way to meet/understand each other, overcoming various differences (lexicon, social, register, etc.) to arrive there. In this book, high-level contributors combine research from various usage-based perspectives to explore these questions: How do proficient speakers accomplish 'mental contact' or communication through the available semiotic linguistic resources they share with other members of their discourse community? How do young children learn to accomplish this? And how do speakers of multiple languages learn to accomplish this across languages?