Chapter 9. Quantifier comprehension in Brazilian Portuguese and the extra-object visual effect
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Erica Rodrigues
Abstract
Universal quantifiers are complex for children to comprehend, and over-exhaustive errors can occur even with adults in sentence-picture verification tasks. This paper addresses visual design factors that may explain these difficulties. We examine what we call the “single extra object attraction hypothesis” (SEOH), according to which the visual prominence of a uniquely unpaired extra object compromises attentional resources during these tasks. We manipulated the type of extra-object – single or double – in an eye-tracking experiment with adult speakers of Brazilian Portuguese. Contrary to the SEOH prediction, double objects gave rise to earlier and longer fixations than single objects. There was no difference in accuracy. We discuss the implications of these results for developmental research.
Abstract
Universal quantifiers are complex for children to comprehend, and over-exhaustive errors can occur even with adults in sentence-picture verification tasks. This paper addresses visual design factors that may explain these difficulties. We examine what we call the “single extra object attraction hypothesis” (SEOH), according to which the visual prominence of a uniquely unpaired extra object compromises attentional resources during these tasks. We manipulated the type of extra-object – single or double – in an eye-tracking experiment with adult speakers of Brazilian Portuguese. Contrary to the SEOH prediction, double objects gave rise to earlier and longer fixations than single objects. There was no difference in accuracy. We discuss the implications of these results for developmental research.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction 1
-
Section 1. The acquisition of pronouns
- Chapter 1. Anaphora resolution in L2 European Portuguese 12
- Chapter 2. Aspects of morphosyntax of Majorcan Catalan-Spanish bilingual variety 34
-
Section 2. The acquisition of or empty categories
- Chapter 3. The acquisition of generic null subjects under the Borer-Chomsky conjecture 58
- Chapter 4. The acquisition of object drop in L2 Spanish by German speakers 86
- Chapter 5. Parameter setting in multilingual children with special reference to acceleration in French 114
-
Section 3. The development of locality
- Chapter 6. Relative clauses and intervention effects 146
- Chapter 7. On the production of subject and object relative clauses by child speakers of heritage Romanian in France 168
-
Section 4. The development of quantifiers
- Chapter 8. “Nobody” isn’t in time 198
- Chapter 9. Quantifier comprehension in Brazilian Portuguese and the extra-object visual effect 212
-
Section 5. Language impairment
- Chapter 10. On the production and omission of dative and accusative clitics in Italian children with learning difficulties 232
- Chapter 11. The narrative abilities of Spanish monolinguals and Spanish–Catalan bilinguals with Prader–Willi syndrome 253
- Chapter 12. Code-switching and code-mixing in bilingual Spanish–Catalan children with and without Developmental Language Disorder 283
- Index 307
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction 1
-
Section 1. The acquisition of pronouns
- Chapter 1. Anaphora resolution in L2 European Portuguese 12
- Chapter 2. Aspects of morphosyntax of Majorcan Catalan-Spanish bilingual variety 34
-
Section 2. The acquisition of or empty categories
- Chapter 3. The acquisition of generic null subjects under the Borer-Chomsky conjecture 58
- Chapter 4. The acquisition of object drop in L2 Spanish by German speakers 86
- Chapter 5. Parameter setting in multilingual children with special reference to acceleration in French 114
-
Section 3. The development of locality
- Chapter 6. Relative clauses and intervention effects 146
- Chapter 7. On the production of subject and object relative clauses by child speakers of heritage Romanian in France 168
-
Section 4. The development of quantifiers
- Chapter 8. “Nobody” isn’t in time 198
- Chapter 9. Quantifier comprehension in Brazilian Portuguese and the extra-object visual effect 212
-
Section 5. Language impairment
- Chapter 10. On the production and omission of dative and accusative clitics in Italian children with learning difficulties 232
- Chapter 11. The narrative abilities of Spanish monolinguals and Spanish–Catalan bilinguals with Prader–Willi syndrome 253
- Chapter 12. Code-switching and code-mixing in bilingual Spanish–Catalan children with and without Developmental Language Disorder 283
- Index 307
