Introduction: The pragmatics - syntax and the semantics - syntax interface in acquisition.

Recent linguistic research postulates the view that the linguistic competence of humans as well as their performance should be seen as cognitive faculties consisting of semi-autonomous modules, which have their specific structural and organizational properties, but which may also interact with each other. According to the modular approach, speakers of a language have a grammar at their disposal, consisting of several modules: syntax, semantics, and phonology. The modular approach to language acquisition has been extremely fruitful, both descriptively as well as in terms of explanation. If the source lies outside the domain of grammar proper, we may expect the problem to show up independently of the language to be learned. The modules syntax, semantics, phonology and pragmatics are "connected" by a system of mapping rules. It is this mapping system in which one expects most, if not all, language variation. How mapping between the components is arranged in the process of both first and second language acquisition is the main focus of this thematic IRAL issue.