Analysing the acquisition stages of negation in L2 German: support for UG in adult SLA
This paper continues the debate concerning the availability of Universal Grammar (UG) to adult L2 acquirers. Specifically, an analysis of native (prodrop) Romance speakers' acquisition of negative placement in L2 German is provided. Contrary to Clahsen (1987; 1988a) and Clahsen and Muysken (1988), we argue that a UG-based analysis for the three stages of NEGplacement is not only possible but in fact provides independent support for UG-based analyses of the developmental sequence found in L1 Romance, L2 German Verb placement (duPlessis et al, 1987; Schwartz and Tomaselli, 1988). In particular, by combining (1) aspects of the L 1 grammar with (2) the independently needed changes in parameter values (characterizing principal differences between the L1 and L2 grammars), we arrive at a non- ad hoc account. We also show how the resolution of additional problems concerning the data of this same set of L2 acquirers naturally follows from the analysis argued for. Finally, some discussion comparing the two UG-based analyses of the verb-placement data (duPlessis et al.'s and Schwartz and Tomaselli's) is included.