The continuity of research on the complexity of second language development

Abstract

This chapter provides a selective review of previous studies on second language development to discuss how the key dimensions of the complex phenomena — namely, time and relation — have been approached in the field’s history. While pointing out the limitations of earlier studies (e.g., their narrow scopes on the variables involved, the premise of simple, direct causality, and the predominant use of group-based analyses), it argues against drawing a strict dividing line between those “legacy” studies and more recent research with explicit affiliation to Complexity Theory. It is suggested that the field would benefit from extending its traditional concerns through the modern complexity lens, rather than dismissing them as outdated. An emphasis is also placed on the importance of theoretical underpinnings of complexity-informed research, highlighting the potential of usage-based approaches to language and language development.