Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This chapter summarizes the historical landscape and main questions of Generative Approaches to Second Language Acquisition (GenSLA), with a particular focus on the first few decades of its existence (1980s–early 2000s). Adopting an innatist perspective on language, GenSLA applies the theory of Universal Grammar (UG) to understand the development of nonprimary language acquisition. Central to GenSLA theorizing and empiricism have been the debates regarding whether adults have access to UG while learning an additional language and the precise role, if any, of the first language (L1) in shaping the second language (L2) acquisition process. In parallel with theoretical and methodological developments in formal linguistics, applied linguistics and psycholinguistics as well as GenSLA's increased alignment with other fields (e.g., sociolinguistics, cognitive science, neuroscience) over the past few decades, GenSLA has expanded its coverage and granularity to generate hypotheses that continue to reflect its commitment to empirical falsification while being better poised to shed light on the intricate dynamics of language learning beyond a first language.</jats:p>