A large amount of literature exists on how native speakers derive and process pragmatic inferences, yet few studies have examined the issue in second language learners, despite a controversial debate of second language (L2) ultimate attainment of phenomena situated at external interfaces. This study contributes to the debate on the integration of…

This study attempts to tease apart the effect of dominant languages of communication on the acquisition of syntactic properties of L3 French in order to test the current L3 generative theories. Three groups of bilinguals took part in this study: L1 Persian/L2 English, with French as the dominant language of communication, L1 Persian/L2 English,…

The chapters in this book originated as open lectures and each reflects the occasion on which it was presented. The three chapters are: "Grammar, Society, and the Noun"; "The Context of Linguistics"; and "Ideas about Language." Chapters 1 and 3 were given as inaugural lectures that celebrated the foundation of new…