The volume is a collection of original articles that present new research on first and second language acquisition from the perspective of current generative linguistics, using a detailed case study of Portuguese as a first, second and third language. The book focuses on studies exploring both empirical/experimental and theoretical aspects of the acquisition of syntax and its interfaces with morphology, with semantics/pragmatics, and language change. The volume includes chapters on the child and adult acquisition of European and Brazilian Portuguese, and several chapters that also compare and contrast the two varieties from these different perspectives.

The first volume of its kind, it focuses on generative approaches to the acquisition problem and its interface with language change and dialectal variation. The papers address current issues in morphosyntactic theory raised by micro-variation between European and Brazilian Portuguese. The book is highly recommended for anyone interested in the development of language across generations and geography.
(Nina Hyams, Professor of Linguistics,
University of California, Los Angeles)

This volume makes a substantial contribution to cognitive science because it uses extremely valuable descriptive and experimental data to address both the logical and the developmental problem of primary and non-primary language acquisition.
(Juana M. Liceras, Professor of Spanish and Linguistics,
University of Ottawa)

Acrisio Pires, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA; Jason Rothman, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.