ABSTRACT
Linguists have observed the effect of time on language using different lenses by applying different levels of zoom to ongoing changes across the time stream. This chapter concentrates on the fields of second language acquisition (SLA) and sociolinguistics, focusing on the convergences and differences with which time and age-related differences have been operationalized in these fields. It focuses on the intersection between the tradition of longitudinal studies in second language acquisition and the relatively recent development of panel studies in variationist sociolinguistics. The chapter sheds light on the potential cross-fertilization of perspectives with regard to the effect of time on language behavior. As an illustration of the cross-fertilization potential between the two fields, the chapter explores research on the development of sociolinguistic competence. The chapter provides a synthesis and provides a comparison of the parallel routes taken in both fields, shedding light on similarities and differences across research paradigms.
