Underture

Abstract

Abstract This chapter wraps up the book by outlining the indirect realist model which underlies the grammatical (including phonological) knowledge of multilinguals. Such a model is able to provide explanations for the properties of the grammatical interfaces of phonology with phonetics, morphology, and syntax. The chapter concludes with a discussion of why phonology continues to be underrepresented in generative approaches to language acquisition. The possible pedagogic implications of such an approach are also considered, as well as some of the social implications of recognizing that non-native speakers possess rich, complex cognitive systems that underlie their speech. Such an approach may foster social justice by helping to reduce the discrimination that second language speakers may face. I also hope that it can help to foster a culture of curiosity in language teachers.