输出假说剖析

Reflections upon Output Hypothesis

Swain的输出假说提出,语言输出在二语习得中具有注意/触发、假设检验和元语言反思功能,因而有利于提高学习者语言的准确性。以Gass的二语习得模式为参照,前述三种功能作用于不同的习得环节,动用不同的认知和知识资源。这三种功能不是输出活动所特有的,更不可能在没有输入的情况下能对习得发挥促进作用。这些功能的实现并不等同于语言习得的发展。要证明输出在习得中的作用,首先必须厘定习得的基本概念。从信息加工理论看,在语言习得过程中,在吸收和整合之后,还必须经过重构和陈述性知识向程序性知识的转化。语言知识的重构和程序化被认为是输出作用的核心所在,但迄今并没有得到验证,是今后输出研究的发展方向。

Swain’s Output Hypothesis proposes that output can facilitate L2 accuracy because of three functions: noticing/triggering, hypothesis testing and metalinguistic reflection. When Gass’s second language acquisition (SLA) model is adopted as a framework, the three functions are found to serve different components in the acquisition process with different cognitive and knowledge resources. These functions are not unique to output, and cannot benefit SLA without input. The occurrence of these functions does not equal acquisition. Only when SLA is clearly and operationally defined can the role of output be verified. From the viewpoint of input processing, linguistic knowledge should undergo restructuring and proceduralization after intake and integration. But so far, the loci of output in restructuring and proceduralization of linguistic knowledge is only theoretically hypothesized, which requires future empirical verification.