The acquisition of a second language and the arguments about the existence of a critical period

Abstract

In this paper, we try to demonstrate how the most prominent researchers in the area of language acquisition have faced the issue of a second language acquisition and its relation to age of acquisition, besides the possible existence of a critical period for language learning. Therefore, we revisit at first the notions of universal grammar and linguistic competence conveyed by Noam Chomsky and his criticism regarding the behaviorist assumptions. We also address the research of two important scholars in the field of second language acquisition (L2), namely David Birdsong and James Flege, and their assumptions about the most important and influential factors in the process of learning an additional language. Finally, we discuss some studies on the neural mechanisms underlying the production and comprehension of an additional language, both for early learners and late learners.