Definiteness and argument position in the interpretation of bare nouns
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Michael C. Stern
Abstract
We investigate the hypothesis that nouns in article-less languages are unambiguous with respect to definiteness, an unambiguity that is evident in the interpretation of ungrammatical “bare” or article-less singular nouns in L2 English. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that bare nouns in L2 English are interpreted as definite, administering an acceptability judgment task to intermediate L2 learners of English whose native language is Mandarin. We used sentences containing bare singular nouns in different syntactic positions and discourse contexts. We found bare subjects to be most acceptable in contexts that required definites, while bare objects were acceptable across contexts. Bare nouns in L2 English are argued to be unambiguous, following a systematic pattern determined by argument position and discourse context.
Abstract
We investigate the hypothesis that nouns in article-less languages are unambiguous with respect to definiteness, an unambiguity that is evident in the interpretation of ungrammatical “bare” or article-less singular nouns in L2 English. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that bare nouns in L2 English are interpreted as definite, administering an acceptability judgment task to intermediate L2 learners of English whose native language is Mandarin. We used sentences containing bare singular nouns in different syntactic positions and discourse contexts. We found bare subjects to be most acceptable in contexts that required definites, while bare objects were acceptable across contexts. Bare nouns in L2 English are argued to be unambiguous, following a systematic pattern determined by argument position and discourse context.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Introduction 1
-
L2 acquisition of syntax
- Intervention effects in L1 and L2 English raising 11
- Explaining the difficulty with L2 acquisition of scope interpretation by speakers of a scope-rigid language 41
- Definiteness and argument position in the interpretation of bare nouns 67
- L1-Mandarin L2-English learners’ acquisition of English double-quantifier scope 93
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L2 acquisition at interfaces
- Feature dependency and the poverty of the stimulus in the acquisition of L2 German plural allomorphy 117
- Development of L2 prosody 137
- Transfer of prosodic representation 157
-
Impact of previously learned languages
- The role of L1 Norwegian and L2 English in the acquisition of verb placement in L3 German 191
- Feature reconfiguration at the syntax-discourse interface 213
-
Exploring extra-linguistic factors and their impact on L2 acquisition
- Interference-based and capacity-based approaches to working memory in second language sentence processing 243
- Heritage language speakers inform the critical period hypothesis for first and second language acquisition 265
- A different type of RC attachment resolution 287
- Subject Index 315
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Introduction 1
-
L2 acquisition of syntax
- Intervention effects in L1 and L2 English raising 11
- Explaining the difficulty with L2 acquisition of scope interpretation by speakers of a scope-rigid language 41
- Definiteness and argument position in the interpretation of bare nouns 67
- L1-Mandarin L2-English learners’ acquisition of English double-quantifier scope 93
-
L2 acquisition at interfaces
- Feature dependency and the poverty of the stimulus in the acquisition of L2 German plural allomorphy 117
- Development of L2 prosody 137
- Transfer of prosodic representation 157
-
Impact of previously learned languages
- The role of L1 Norwegian and L2 English in the acquisition of verb placement in L3 German 191
- Feature reconfiguration at the syntax-discourse interface 213
-
Exploring extra-linguistic factors and their impact on L2 acquisition
- Interference-based and capacity-based approaches to working memory in second language sentence processing 243
- Heritage language speakers inform the critical period hypothesis for first and second language acquisition 265
- A different type of RC attachment resolution 287
- Subject Index 315
