# second-language acquisition

> process in which a second or additional language is acquired after the first language has been learned

**Wikidata**: [Q1455178](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1455178)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second-language_acquisition)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/second-language-acquisition

## Summary
Second-language acquisition is the process by which people learn a second or additional language after they have already acquired their first language. It is a recognized academic discipline that investigates the methods and systems involved in mastering a non-native language. This field encompasses various pedagogical techniques, such as language immersion, and examines phenomena like language transfer.

## Key Facts
- The process is defined as the acquisition of a second or additional language occurring after the first language has been learned.
- It is classified as an instance of Q11862829 and a subclass of Q118500400.
- Common aliases for the entity include second-language learning, language acquisition non-natively, language learning, 2nd language acquisition, SLA, L2 acquisition, foreign language acquisition, and foreign language learning.
- The field is categorized as an academic discipline, specifically a field of study or profession.
- It is related to language immersion, a technique used in bilingual language education where two languages are used for instruction across various topics.
- The entity is linked to language transfer as a parent concept, which refers to the influence of one language's features on another.
- The Wikipedia title for this topic is "Second-language acquisition."
- It has a recorded sitelink count of 28.
- Database identifiers include GND ID 4071461-5, LCCN number sh86005959, and Freebase ID /m/04gqrg.
- Other identifiers include BNF ID ph162895, BNE ID 000086563, and NARA ID 10569891.
- Library of Congress Subject Headings lists it as "second-language-learning."
- It is tagged with "languagelearning" and "second-language-instruction" in various systems.
- The Microsoft Academic Graph ID is 170350167.
- A dedicated community exists at https://languagelearning.stackexchange.com.
- The Spanish alias for the concept is "Adquisición-de-segundo-lenguaje."
- It has a CNKI ID 987007563579005171 and is listed in JSTOR as SecondLanguageAcquisition.
- The Twitter hashtag ID is 852226935044194304.
- The National Central Library of Taiwan ID is 691740.0.
- The OpenAlex ID is C170350167.
- The Lemmy community handle is languagelearning@sopuli.xyz.
- The Pinterest ID is pjzm4nyz.
- It has a specific concept ID: concept/ebab4953-3fbf-4e71-8070-7dc8c95eea07.

## FAQs
**What is the primary definition of second-language acquisition?**
It is the process through which an individual acquires a new language after their native language has already been established.

**What are some alternative names for this field?**
The process is referred to by numerous aliases, including SLA, L2 acquisition, second-language learning, and foreign language acquisition.

**How does language immersion fit into this field?**
Language immersion is a related technique utilized in bilingual education that employs two languages for instruction to facilitate the acquisition process.

**What is the relationship between language transfer and second-language acquisition?**
Language transfer is considered a parent concept to this field, describing how the features of a person's first language influence the acquisition and use of a second language.

**Is second-language acquisition formally recognized in academia?**
Yes, it is explicitly categorized as an academic discipline and a profession, serving as a field of study dedicated to understanding non-native language learning.

## Why It Matters
Second-language acquisition is fundamental to understanding human cognitive capabilities and communication in a multicultural world. It provides the theoretical foundation for educational strategies, such as language immersion, which are critical for effective bilingual education. By analyzing language transfer, educators and linguists can better understand the structural influences of a learner's native tongue, allowing for the development of more effective teaching methodologies. This discipline not only facilitates personal and professional growth through multilingualism but also fosters cross-cultural connection and global integration.

## Notable For
- Being distinctively defined as language learning that occurs specifically after the first language has been acquired.
- Encompassing a vast array of aliases, ranging from "SLA" to "foreign language learning," which reflects its diverse application across different contexts.
- Serving as the parent category for language transfer, a key concept explaining the interference and influence between languages.
- Possessing a comprehensive digital footprint with identifiers across major global databases such as GND, LCCN, BNF, and OpenAlex.
- Maintaining an active presence on specialized platforms like Stack Exchange and Lemmy, indicating a robust community of learners and experts.

## Body

### Definition and Scope
Second-language acquisition (SLA) is the specific process by which individuals learn a second or any additional language subsequent to the acquisition of their first language. This distinguishes it from bilingual first-language acquisition, where two languages are learned simultaneously from birth. The entity is formally recognized as an academic discipline and a profession, falling under the classification of Q11862829 and being a subclass of Q118500400. The field is known by a wide variety of aliases, including second-language learning, language acquisition non-natively, language learning, 2nd language acquisition, L2 acquisition, foreign language acquisition, and foreign language learning.

### Academic Context and Related Concepts
As an academic field of study, second-language acquisition investigates the cognitive, psychological, and social factors that influence how people learn new languages. A central concept within this domain is language transfer, which is identified as a parent concept to SLA. Language transfer describes the phenomenon where the features of a person's first language influence or interfere with the acquisition and usage of the second language. Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing accurate linguistic theories and effective pedagogical models.

### Educational Methodologies
The study of second-language acquisition directly informs educational practices. One of the primary techniques associated with this field is language immersion. This method is used in bilingual language education and involves using two languages for instruction across a variety of topics. By immersing students in the target language, educators aim to replicate the natural language acquisition process, leveraging the theoretical insights provided by SLA research.

### Global Identification and Metadata
The concept of second-language acquisition is extensively cataloged across numerous international databases and platforms, reflecting its significance in both academic and public spheres. It is identified by the GND ID 4071461-5, the Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) sh86005959, and the Freebase ID /m/04gqrg. Further bibliographic identifiers include the BNF ID ph162895, the BNE ID 000086563, and the NARA ID 10569891.

In the realm of subject indexing, it is listed under Library of Congress Subject Headings as "second-language-learning" and is tagged with "languagelearning" and "second-language-instruction" in various systems. The Microsoft Academic Graph assigns it the ID 170350167, while the OpenAlex database references it as C170350167. The concept also holds specific identifiers in Asian databases, such as the CNKI ID 987007563579005171, and in the National Central Library of Taiwan as 691740.0.

### Digital Presence and Community
The field maintains a significant digital footprint, facilitating access to resources and community support. A dedicated community for discussion exists on the Stack Exchange network at https://languagelearning.stackexchange.com. Additionally, the concept is present on social media and community platforms, identified by the Twitter hashtag ID 852226935044194304 and the Lemmy community handle languagelearning@sopuli.xyz. It is also referenced on Pinterest under the ID pjzm4nyz. The Spanish equivalent of the term is cataloged as "Adquisición-de-segundo-lenguaje," and it appears in JSTOR as SecondLanguageAcquisition. The entity has a specific ontology ID: concept/ebab4953-3fbf-4e71-8070-7dc8c95eea07, and is associated with a Wikipedia page titled "Second-language acquisition," which currently maintains 28 sitelinks.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
3. KBpedia
4. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)