Dynamic Model of Multilingualism

Philip Herdina has published on the methodology of linguistics and literature, theory of grammar and multilingualism. He is also the co-author of a bilingual philosophical dictionary.Ulrike Jessner has published on psycholinguistic issues in the fields of second language acquisition, multilingualism and gender issues. Recently she has co-edited the book English in Europe (Multilingual Matters, 2000).Both authors are Associate Professors of English Linguistics at the University of Innsbruck, Austria.

• PrefaceList of FiguresList of Acronyms1. Introductory Remarks2. Stages in Research on Multilingualism3. Transfer Reconsidered4. Universal Grammar Reviewed5. Multilingual Proficiency Reassessed6. A Dynamic Model of Multilingualism Developed7. A Dynamic Model of Multilingualism Analysed8. Holism Defended: A Systems Interpretation9. Limitations, Conclusions and OutlookReferencesIndex

This book sets out with the highly ambitious aim of combining two fields of investigation which are not self-evidently relatable - namely, on the one hand, research into dynamic systems and, on the other, research into multilingualism. It seeks to use notions of dynamic systems as they have been applied in such areas as physics and meteorology as the basis for the development of a dynamic model of multilingualism. The writing is clear and the argumentation cogent throughout, and although the text is certainly not an easy read, its insightfulness fully repays the close attention it demands. There is absolutely no doubt that this volume will quickly become - and will deserve to become - an indispensable reference-point in any discussion of multilingualism.