Publications

This chapter introduces the nascent field of third language (L3) morphosyntacticacquisition research that adopts generative theory. We briefly introduce themain tenets of generative linguistic theory and how it has been applied tocases of child first (L1) and adult second (L2) acquisition. After justifying whyit is prudent and profitable to treat L3/Ln learners as unique cases of adultacquisition as opposed to another instance of adult L2 acquisition, we reviewselected studies that have shaped the current research program in generativeL3 morphosyntax research. Finally, we offer some insights on how the study ofL3 acquisition can shed a unique light on questions of significant importanceto generative linguistic and acquisition theories in general and ponder futureresearch directions.