The acquisition of functional categories in early French second language grammars
The use of finite and non-finite verbs in negative contexts
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11655659 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sarah Rule (0000-0002-2465-3618, University of Southampton, corresponding author), Emma Marsden (0000-0003-4086-5765, University of York) |
| Year | 2006 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 188-218 |
| Publication date | 2006-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Second language Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0267-6583 • E-ISSN: 1477-0326 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1191/0267658306sr265oa |
| OpenAlex | W2092379378 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 30 |
This cross-sectional study of first language (L1) English adolescents learning French as a second language (L2) uses their development of negatives in relation to finite and non-finite verbs to investigate the status and nature of functional categories in these learners’ emerging grammars. Analysing oral data from elicited production tasks from instructed learners, it provides evidence for a lack of functional categories in the Initial State and the earliest L2 grammars (Vainikka and Young-Scholten, 1996; Hawkins, 2001). However, the results from the study also indicate that the functional category I (or T) then emerges reasonably rapidly. The pattern of development of negation and finite and non-finite verbs in these learners’ grammars also suggests that feature values are in place for the functional categories once they are projected, as learners consistently raise the verb. The learners do use root infinitives but the properties of these root infinitives differ to those found in L1 acquisition (Pierce, 1992; Wexler, 1994; 1998), thus supporting Wexler’s maturational account of Optional Infinitives in L1 acquisition. Additionally, the rare occurrence of raised non-finite verbs would indicate that there is a problem with the realization of surface morphology in accordance with the Missing Surface Inflection Hypothesis of Prévost and White (2000a) rather than an impairment in the grammar (Meisel, 1997; Hawkins, 2000)
Grammar · Inflection · Language acquisition · Linguistics · Natural language processing · Negation · Root (linguistics · Rule-based machine translation · Second-language acquisition · Verb · Computer Science · Language Development and Disorders · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation
Direct Access to X’-Theory
Second language acquisition
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The child language data exchange system
Second Language Syntax
Gradual development of L2 phrase structure
Universal Grammar and the acquisition of French verb movement by native speakers of English
The status of functional categories in child second language acquisition
The acquisition of the syntax of negation in French and German
Dissociating syntax from morphology in a divergent L2 end-state grammar
Morphological or syntactic deficits in near-native speakers? An assessment of some current proposals
Why is ‘is’ easier than ‘-s’
Morphological or syntactic deficits in near-native speakers? An assessment of some current proposals
Missing Surface Inflection or Impairment in second language acquisition? Evidence from tense and agreement
Missing inflection in second language French
L2 cognitive states and the Full Transfer/Full Access model
Very early parameter setting and the unique checking constraint
The Full Competence Hypothesis of Clause Structure in Early German
| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,2 |
| Citation span | 2006 - 2018 (13) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 4 |