Language Acquisition

Singleton (applied linguistics, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland) and Ryan (a speech and language therapists for community care in Area Seven of the Northern Area Health Board, Dublin, Ireland) review the empirical and theoretical literature on the impact of age on language acquisition. They explore the evidence related to speech milestones, a critical period for first language acquisition, and optimum ages for second language learning. They also outline the various explanations that have been offered for evidence of an age-related factor and consider educational issues related to language instruction at elementary school and adult levels. Annotation c2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

David Singleton is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at the Centre for Language and Communication Studies, Trinity College Dublin. He belongs to a wide range of research networks and has been particularly active in the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics, the Association Internationale de Linguistique Appliquee and the European Second Language Association. His recent publications have focused on cross-linguistic influence, the L2 lexicon and the topic of the present volume, the age factor in language acquisition.
Lisa Ryan is completing a PhD in Child Language Acquisition at Trinity College Dublin. Her current post is that of Principal Speech and Language Therapist for Community Care in Area 7 of the Northern Area Health Board, Dublin. She is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and also sits on the Education Committee and the Publications Committee of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists.