Formulaic Sequences in First Language Acquisition and Foreign Language Learning

Abstract

Formulaic sequences constitute a large part of the language we speak. This group contains, for example, idiomatic expressions, proverbs, mnemonics, or larger texts taught as a whole, like songs or prayers. They seem to be stored in our mental lexicon rather than created from scratch every time they are needed. The aim of the present article is to examine some types of formulaic sequences and discuss their function in communication. First, the article describes how children acquire and make use of formulaic sequences when they start speaking English as their mother tongue. Secondly, the paper discusses the difference between learning English as an L1 and as an L2. The paper aims to discuss various strategies used by children who do not speak English but have to use it because they find themselves in English-speaking environments. Furthermore, the article discusses some selected issues concerning adults learning formulaic sequences and major problems connected with it. Such difficulties usually stem from not having enough linguistic input from native speakers and therefore not being able to recognise strings of words that are most likely to occur.