Regan Vera, Howard Martin and Lemée Isabelle. The Acquisition of Sociolinguistic Competence in a Study Abroad Context

(Second Language Acquisition). — Bristol Buffalo Toronto: Multilingual Matters, 2009. — 169 p.This book is a real eye opener for anyone who would equate conjugating verbs and memorizing noun genders with 'learning' a second language. Regan et al. offer a stunning demonstration that effective communication hinges on acquiring the sociolinguistic competence to interpret (and produce) the many choices among variant linguistic structures that native speakers make regularly in their everyday interactions. Exemplifying with the controversial Year Abroad experience, the authors provide a first detailed account of how this is achieved.
Contents: Second Language Acquisition and Linguistic Variation. Linguistic Outcomes and Study Abroad. Extralinguistic Factors Affecting L2 Development. The Research Investigation: An Overview. The Acquisition of ne deletion by Irish-English speakers of French L2 during the Year Abroad. The Variable Use of Nous/On during the Year Abroad. The Acquisition of /l/ Deletion in French by Irish Study Abroad Speakers. The Variable Use of Future Temporal Reference during the Year Abroad. The Role of Gender in the Acquisition of Sociolinguistic Competence in an L2 During the Year Abroad. Spending a Year Abroad: Do We Acquire Sociolinguistic Competence?