Chapter 11. The acquisition of nominal structure, word order and referentiality in Chinese
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Thomas Hun-Tak Lee
Abstract
The mapping between nominal structure, word order and referentiality in Mandarin Chinese is examined from an acquisition perspective. Two aspects of the syntax-semantics interface are investigated based on early naturalistic data and experiments with preschool children: the Subject Specificity Constraint, which prohibits non-specific individual-denoting numeral phrases in subject position, and the referential difference between two types of noun phrases containing a modifier: inner modifier nominals (IMN) and outer modifier nominals (OWN) . Our findings reveal adult-like distribution of nominal types and an early sensitivity to the Subject Specificity Constraint. Given the poverty of the stimulus, the semantic difference between the two types of modified nominals, reflected in interactions with stress and focus, appears to be a late acquired interface property in child grammar.
Abstract
The mapping between nominal structure, word order and referentiality in Mandarin Chinese is examined from an acquisition perspective. Two aspects of the syntax-semantics interface are investigated based on early naturalistic data and experiments with preschool children: the Subject Specificity Constraint, which prohibits non-specific individual-denoting numeral phrases in subject position, and the referential difference between two types of noun phrases containing a modifier: inner modifier nominals (IMN) and outer modifier nominals (OWN) . Our findings reveal adult-like distribution of nominal types and an early sensitivity to the Subject Specificity Constraint. Given the poverty of the stimulus, the semantic difference between the two types of modified nominals, reflected in interactions with stress and focus, appears to be a late acquired interface property in child grammar.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
- Chapter 2. Unifying UG and language variation 9
- Chapter 3. Elements of syntax 25
- Chapter 4. Computational and semantic aspects of resumption 49
- Chapter 5. Causality, comitativity, contrastivity, and selfhood 101
- Chapter 6. System repairing strategy at interface 133
- Chapter 7. The V-copy construction in Mandarin 167
- Chapter 8. The syntax of either and disjunction 207
- Chapter 9. Focus, negation and event quantification in Chinese 245
- Chapter 10. Null object constructions, VP-ellipsis, and sentence interpretation 283
- Chapter 11. The acquisition of nominal structure, word order and referentiality in Chinese 301
- Chapter 12. Syntax/semantics interface and interpretation of Chinese NP 1 NP 2 V construction by Japanese speakers 341
- Index of languages 363
- Index of subjects 365
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
- Chapter 2. Unifying UG and language variation 9
- Chapter 3. Elements of syntax 25
- Chapter 4. Computational and semantic aspects of resumption 49
- Chapter 5. Causality, comitativity, contrastivity, and selfhood 101
- Chapter 6. System repairing strategy at interface 133
- Chapter 7. The V-copy construction in Mandarin 167
- Chapter 8. The syntax of either and disjunction 207
- Chapter 9. Focus, negation and event quantification in Chinese 245
- Chapter 10. Null object constructions, VP-ellipsis, and sentence interpretation 283
- Chapter 11. The acquisition of nominal structure, word order and referentiality in Chinese 301
- Chapter 12. Syntax/semantics interface and interpretation of Chinese NP 1 NP 2 V construction by Japanese speakers 341
- Index of languages 363
- Index of subjects 365
