Inflected infinitives in L2 Portuguese
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Ana Madeira
Abstract
This study investigates the acquisition of morphosyntactic and interpretative properties of the Portuguese inflected infinitive by Chinese and Spanish speakers, using three experimental tasks. Assuming a Full Access approach (Schwartz & Sprouse, 1996) and the Interface Hypothesis (Sorace, 2011), we predict that full acquisition of the morphosyntactic properties is possible, albeit showing L1 effects, and that interpretative properties develop later than narrow syntactic properties. Both predictions are supported. Our findings show that the advanced learners have largely acquired the relevant morphosyntactic properties, although there is evidence of developmental delays, particularly in the Spanish group. Moreover, both advanced groups performed non-targetlike regarding the interpretation of overt subjects; however, the Spanish group showed an advantage over the Chinese group with null subjects.
Abstract
This study investigates the acquisition of morphosyntactic and interpretative properties of the Portuguese inflected infinitive by Chinese and Spanish speakers, using three experimental tasks. Assuming a Full Access approach (Schwartz & Sprouse, 1996) and the Interface Hypothesis (Sorace, 2011), we predict that full acquisition of the morphosyntactic properties is possible, albeit showing L1 effects, and that interpretative properties develop later than narrow syntactic properties. Both predictions are supported. Our findings show that the advanced learners have largely acquired the relevant morphosyntactic properties, although there is evidence of developmental delays, particularly in the Spanish group. Moreover, both advanced groups performed non-targetlike regarding the interpretation of overt subjects; however, the Spanish group showed an advantage over the Chinese group with null subjects.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Complement clauses in Portuguese 1
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Syntax papers
- Control of inflected infinitives in European Portuguese 29
- Inflected infinitives in Brazilian Portuguese and the theory of Control 59
- Infinitival complements of causative/perception verbs in a diachronic perspective 101
- Controlled overt pronouns as specificational predicates 129
- (Hyper)-raising in Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish 187
- Subjunctive and subject obviation in Portuguese 213
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Commentary paper
- Comments on complementation in Portuguese 243
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Acquisition papers
- The acquisition of control in European Portuguese 263
- The acquisition of infinitival complements to causative verbs in Mozambican Portuguese 295
- Inflected infinitives in L2 Portuguese 321
- How Portuguese children interpret subject pronouns in complement clauses 361
-
Commentary paper
- Comments on the acquisition of complementation in Portuguese 395
- Index 415
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Complement clauses in Portuguese 1
-
Syntax papers
- Control of inflected infinitives in European Portuguese 29
- Inflected infinitives in Brazilian Portuguese and the theory of Control 59
- Infinitival complements of causative/perception verbs in a diachronic perspective 101
- Controlled overt pronouns as specificational predicates 129
- (Hyper)-raising in Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish 187
- Subjunctive and subject obviation in Portuguese 213
-
Commentary paper
- Comments on complementation in Portuguese 243
-
Acquisition papers
- The acquisition of control in European Portuguese 263
- The acquisition of infinitival complements to causative verbs in Mozambican Portuguese 295
- Inflected infinitives in L2 Portuguese 321
- How Portuguese children interpret subject pronouns in complement clauses 361
-
Commentary paper
- Comments on the acquisition of complementation in Portuguese 395
- Index 415
