17132. THE STRONG CONTINUITY HYPOTHESIS IN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. This paper provides an overview and analysis of the Strong Continuity Hypothesis (SCH) as a solution to the “problem of development” in language acquisition. The strong continuity hypothesis is explicated and then compared and contrasted to the maturation hypothesis as well as to the weak continuity hypothesis. Drawing on research in both first and second language acquisition, the analysis consider the theoretical and empirical support for the strong continuity hypothesis. Written 2003. 12 pages; 36 footnotes; 14 bibliographic sources. 3,762 words.