First and second language acquisition: Complexities, confusions, clarifications

The literature on second language acquisition makes many links to theories purporting to account for first language acquisition. This paper argues that those theories, and the links between them and accounts of second language acquisition, are often not fully understood, resulting in complexities and confusions about both first and second language acquisition. It is suggested that one name conspicuous by its absence from many such accounts is that of Ludwig Wittgenstein. It is argued that Wittgenstein’s later philosophy provides a perspective which dispels confusions about, and gives us a clearer insight into, the issues, with implications for those teaching and learning first and second languages.