Developmental sequences in L1 (normal and impaired) and L2 acquisition of Swedish

This article presents data from an on-going project comparing L1 and L2 acquisition of Swedish syntax. Within the L1 group, normal as well as specifically language impaired (SLI) children are included; the L2 group consists of pre-school immigrant children. The analyses of the data are made within a second language acquisition perspective with a focus on word order. One basic issue within second language acquisition research is the question of natural developmental sequences, i.e. do all learners follow the same development? Another important issue is whether the development in L2 acquisition is the same as or different from L1 acquisition. Both issues are addressed in the study. The results show interesting similarities between the SLI group and the L2 group. The L1 group differed from the other two groups in important ways. The findings suggest that there is no fundamental difference between L1 and L2 acquisition of syntax, as has been claimed.