Although the one abbreviation “L2” is generally used, it is important to keep in mind the
difference between the acquisition of a second language, implying that the language is
learned in the target country, and a foreign language, i.e. it is learned in one’s home country,
typically as an academic subject. Just like the acquisition of L1 phonology, the study of L2
phonology acquisition has been neglected (Busà, 2008), which may be why studies on second
language and foreign language phonology often go together. As a matter of fact, some
handbooks on second/foreign language acquisition do not even mention the acquisition of
pronunciation at all (Derwing & Munro, 2005: 382). Much theoretical and empirical research
is still needed in that field.
In this section, an overview of major theories and experiments in L2 acquisition of
segments and suprasegments will be given, before we go on with an account of comparative
studies on the latter two. That will lead to the elaboration of our own comparative
experiment on the acquisition of English segments and suprasegments by French EFL
learners.