John Benjamins Publishing Company
Pro-drop then and now
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Lydia White
Abstract
This paper provides an overview and analysis of changing perspectives on null subjects in L2 research. Three phases of research are identified, focusing on: (i) the issue of parameter resetting, conceived in terms of the null subject parameter as originally formulated; (ii) the relationship of null subjects to properties of functional features and associated morphology; (iii) discourse constraints on the realization of null and overt subjects. Conflicting data and theories are discussed, touching on the extent of transfer of null subjects from the L1, whether a parameter is involved, and what other properties might explain the distribution of null subjects in L2 grammars. Despite the lack of consensus, investigation of null subjects has provided fruitful insights into the nature of interlanguage grammars.
Abstract
This paper provides an overview and analysis of changing perspectives on null subjects in L2 research. Three phases of research are identified, focusing on: (i) the issue of parameter resetting, conceived in terms of the null subject parameter as originally formulated; (ii) the relationship of null subjects to properties of functional features and associated morphology; (iii) discourse constraints on the realization of null and overt subjects. Conflicting data and theories are discussed, touching on the extent of transfer of null subjects from the L1, whether a parameter is involved, and what other properties might explain the distribution of null subjects in L2 grammars. Despite the lack of consensus, investigation of null subjects has provided fruitful insights into the nature of interlanguage grammars.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface and acknowledgements 1
- L2 acquisition 3
-
Part I. Parameters and beyond
- Pro-drop then and now 17
- Reference comprehension and production in bilingual Spanish 37
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Part II. Features and crossroads L1/L2
- When masculine as default supercedes L1 transfer 73
- L2 knowledge of gender and number agreement in Spanish noun ellipsis 99
- Not just algunos , but indeed unos L2ers can acquire scalar implicatures in L2 Spanish 125
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Part III. Word order and complex structures
- Comprehension of subject and object relative clauses by second language learners of Spanish 149
- On the production of differential object marking and wh -question formation in native and non-native Spanish 187
-
Part IV. Monolingual and bilingual first language acquisition
- In search of the perfect tense 213
- The acquisition of grammatical gender in L1 bilingual Spanish 237
- Applying computing innovations to bilingual corpus analysis 281
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface and acknowledgements 1
- L2 acquisition 3
-
Part I. Parameters and beyond
- Pro-drop then and now 17
- Reference comprehension and production in bilingual Spanish 37
-
Part II. Features and crossroads L1/L2
- When masculine as default supercedes L1 transfer 73
- L2 knowledge of gender and number agreement in Spanish noun ellipsis 99
- Not just algunos , but indeed unos L2ers can acquire scalar implicatures in L2 Spanish 125
-
Part III. Word order and complex structures
- Comprehension of subject and object relative clauses by second language learners of Spanish 149
- On the production of differential object marking and wh -question formation in native and non-native Spanish 187
-
Part IV. Monolingual and bilingual first language acquisition
- In search of the perfect tense 213
- The acquisition of grammatical gender in L1 bilingual Spanish 237
- Applying computing innovations to bilingual corpus analysis 281
- Index 303
