First language acquisition: Is it compatible with chaos/complexity theory?

Abstract

This paper intends to use analogy to describe first language acquisition. Larsen-Freeman (1997) asserted that "analogies are only helpful if by knowing something about one member of the pair, we can advance our understanding of the other" (p.157). It is difficult to tell if the analogy between chaos/complexity theory and first language acquisition can be beneficial for the researchers to have better understanding of first language acquisition. This study can be considered as unique in its own place. Few articles have been devoted to this type of analogy. Most researchers have preferred to deal with the issue of second language acquisition and chaos/complexity theory. The researcher hopes to have shed some light on the issue and expects to attract the attention of the other researcher to this analogy. The purpose of science is better understanding of the world and the phenomena inside it. Therefore, it is expected to better understand the most complex phenomenon which is nothing more than first language acquisition. © 2012 ACADEMY PUBLISHER Manufactured in Finland.