(Testing Parameter Setting In Second Language Acquisition (A stuay of tlie Pro-Drop Parameter in Cairene Colloquial Arabic

Abstract

The broad area of the present study IS SLA usmg the principles and parameters model of the UG theory. The study investigates the acquisition of the Pro-Drop (PD) parameter in Cairene colloquial Arabic (CCA) as a second language. The aim of the study is to look at the possible effect of the PD parameter value ofLl on the acquisition of the same parameter in L2. If the effect is found, its manifestations in the subjects' interlanguage will be analyzed . The possible effect of some other factors such as level of proficiency, gender, and length of residence on the acquisition ofCCA as a second language is also examined. The literature review traces the development of the , field of SLA and its relationship with the development of linguistic theories especially the theory ofUG and introduces the main concepts of the P&P model and its impact on SLA research followed by SLA research studies on UG (P&P). The subjects are 45 learners of CCA as a second language

from four language groups. The instrument used is a grammaticality judgment test .The results reveal that L2 learners do not start by a neutral parameter setting and that L1 PD -• parameter provide the initial value until the proper L2 setting is

attained and that learning L2 with a parameter setting similar to that of the Ll is easer than leitming L2 with a different parameter setting .