Description

This study investigates German noun inflexion from the point of view of the way in which indications of number, gender and case can be recognised by the learner in the course of acquisition of natural German (as a second language). Proceeding from the theory of markedness, a distinction is made between regular-unmarked, regular-marked and irregular forms, the validity, saliency and frequency of the various inflexional forms are investigated and the validity and scope of inflexion rules calculated. The results are of interest not only for all those involved in the study of the acquisition of German as a second language or the teaching of German as a foreign language (language acquisition specialists, didactics researchers, authors of study manuals, teachers) but can also provide a new and different perspective on German noun inflexion - from the learner standpoint - for Germanists 'only' interested in grammar.