4.2 第二语言习得概论（Rod Ellis)：Variability in i

Variability in interlanguage

(1) Contextual variability

① variability resulted of situational context

1) Empirical studies:

a. issue: phonological and grammatical development

b. Conclusion:

when a learner is able to attend closely to his performance, he may produce not only a higher incidence of target language forms, but also a higher incidence of L1 forms, if these are associated with formal use in the L1

2) The interlanguage continuum (Tarone)

a. the stylistic continuum is the product of differing degrees of attention reflected in a variety of performance tasks

b. it is part of competence, not performance

② variability resulted of linguistic context

1) two different linguistic contexts induce different forms (correct form or deviant forms)

2) acquisition of a linguistic feature consisted of the gradual mastery of its use in a range of linguistic contexts

③ Summary

1) the effects of the linguistic and situational context interact to influence jointly the learner’s use of interlanguage forms

2) Interlanguage as the intersection of two continua

(2) Free variability

① There are alternative rules

② The acquisition of the forms of the formulas preceded the acquisition of their functions

(3) Summary

① The learner slowly extends the contextual range of the forms he has acquired, by mastering their use in additional stylistic and linguistic contexts

② The learner slowly resolves the free variability that exists in his interlanguage by developing clear form-function relationships