An Introduction to Critical Period Hypothesis in Second Language Acquisition 

Jia Simo

Shandong Women’s University, Jinan, Shandong, 250300;

Abstract：The author writes this paper to present the generalization of critical period hypothesis and to illustrate the main opinions towards it. To begin with, the author explains the creation of critical period hypothesis, from the perspective of neurolinguistics and Universal Grammar. Secondly, the author summarizes and demonstrates the fundamental opinions to critical period hypothesis, for theories which are in favor of and are against it, and in different degree, namely, the radical and the mild. In this part, the author elaborates these matters from the points as language multiple-levels, the process and route of second language acquisition, the proficiency of second language acquisition, mother tongue’s transfer, empirical studies about second language acquisition and some general doubts. Together with these, the author also displays some of her own thoughts on certain standpoints. At last, the author concludes that people are born with the ability to acquire second language, but the proficiency and ultimate attainment of second language acquisition may depend on initial age, besides, the author also delivers that the existence of critical period on second language acquisition is hard to assure through examination.

Keywords: critical period hypothesis； theories of the proponents； doctrines of the opponents

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