ABSTRACT
The explanatory power that stems from a parameterized model of second language acquisition (SLA) research findings during the past decade, discussed, for example, in various papers in the volume edited by Flynn and O'Neil (1988), has provided important insights for our understanding of the process of various aspects of how grammar emerges in a second language (L2) learner. There have been a large number of studies on the development of a variety of structures within this model that have focused predominantly on syntax and morphology (cf. Flynn, 1989a, 1989b; Flynn, Epstein, & Martohardjono, 1993; Flynn & Espinal, 1985; Hilles, 1986; Hyams, 1986; Phinney, 1987; White, 1985, 1986). There has, however, been comparatively less attention paid to the development of phonology in SLA. Some research based on a theoretical model of phonology has been reported (cf. Broselow, 1984, 1987; Ioup & Weinberger, 1987; James, 1988; James & Leather, 1987; Tarone, 1984, 1987). A study by Archibald (1993), who investigated the SLA of metrical parameters, and a study by Broselow and Finer (1991), who studied the domains of syntax and phonology, are more recent additions to this group. The research reported here deals with two areas of L2 acquisition of phonology, namely, metrical parameters with special reference to stress placement theory and syllable structure by native Egyptian Arabic speakers of the Cairene Dialect who are L2 learners of English. We argue that adults learning an L2 can access the principles of Universal Grammar (UG) and are able to reset parameters in the L2. Furthermore, we will show that although there may be interference from the first language (LI), there are other factors involving the interaction of LI and L2 parameters that need to be taken into account.
