Computational simulations of second language construction learning
Yevgen Matusevych, Afra Alishahi, Ad Backus · Research portal (Tilburg University) · 2013
There are few computational models of second language acquisition (SLA).At the same time, many questions in the field of SLA remain unanswered.In particular, SLA patterns are difficult to study due to the large amount of variation between human learners.We present a computational model of second language construction learning that allows manipulating specific parameters such as age of onset and amount of exposure.We use the model to study general developmental patterns of SLA and two specific effects sometimes found in empirical studies: construction priming and a facilitatory effect of skewed frequencies in the input.Our simulations replicate the expected SLA patterns as well as the two effects.Our model can be used in further studies of various SLA phenomena.