Language and Information Sciences

Why are people able to acquire language? What is the mechanism involved in first language acquisition? What about the mechanisms involved in the acquisition of a second or foreign language, and how do these differ from that of acquiring the first language? In a multilingual context, how do people acquire two or more languages? In order to answer these questions, we have such fields of study as mother tongue acquisition, second language acquisition and learning, and studies in bilingualism. Investigation of the mechanisms of language acquisition also contributes to our better understanding of language loss (aphasia).

Research in language acquisition and learning follows various theories based on linguistic data produced in the process of first or second/foreign language acquisition. In particular, second/foreign language teaching is conceived as the application of the theoretical findings of language acquisition studies; in return, the practical results of second/foreign language teaching are fed back into the study of second language acquisition. In this way, second language acquisition cannot be separated from second/foreign language teaching.

The Graduate Division of Language and Information Sciences offers opportunities to pursue studies associated with theories and practice related to language acquisition, learning and teaching.

Faculty

First language acquisition:

FUJII Seiko, Izabelle Grenon, HIROSE Yuki, INABA Jiro, ITO Takane, TANAKA Shin'ichi, OSEKI Yohei

Second language acquisition:

FUJII Seiko, Izabelle Grenon, HIROSE Yuki, USAMI Yo

Bilingualism:

Izabelle Grenon, MATSUMOTO Kazuko, OGOSHI Naoki, YOSHIKAWA Masayuki

Language loss:

ITO Takane, OSEKI Yohei

Foreign language teaching:

FUJII Seiko, Tom Gally, ITATSU Yuko, USAMI Yo

Second language teaching:

FUJII Seiko, Tom Gally, ITATSU Yuko, USAMI Yo