Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora

Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora

Author: B. Lust

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 378

ISBN-13: 9400945485

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This book is addressed to a central area' of current linguistics and psycholinguistics: anaphora. It is a collection of independent studies by individuals who are currently working, on probleJ,IlS in this area. The book includes two independent volumes. The major focus of these volumes is a psycholinguistic problem: the first language acquisition of anaphora. The volumes are intended to provide a basic reference source for the study of this one central, critical area of language competence. They combine results from the interdisciplinary study this area has attracted in recent years. Each of the studies collected here is intended to be readable indepen dently of the others. Thus a theoretical linguist or psycholinguist may each use this book only in part. Two basic assumptions underlie this collection of studies. (1) Signifi cant psycholinguistic study of the problem of first language acquisition requires a basis in linguistic theory. We look to linguistic theory (a) for the formulation of testable hypotheses which are coherent with a general theoretical model of language competence, and which, by empirical confirmation or disconfirmation, will have consequences which can be integra~ed in a general theory of language and of mind. This is because we pursue explanation ~f the problem of firs~ language acquisition, not merely description. (b) We also look to linguistic theory for precision in the description of language stimuli and language behavior in empirical studies. This is in order to promote replicability and interpretability of empirical results: .


Book Synopsis Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora by : B. Lust

Download or read book Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora written by B. Lust and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 378 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is addressed to a central area' of current linguistics and psycholinguistics: anaphora. It is a collection of independent studies by individuals who are currently working, on probleJ,IlS in this area. The book includes two independent volumes. The major focus of these volumes is a psycholinguistic problem: the first language acquisition of anaphora. The volumes are intended to provide a basic reference source for the study of this one central, critical area of language competence. They combine results from the interdisciplinary study this area has attracted in recent years. Each of the studies collected here is intended to be readable indepen dently of the others. Thus a theoretical linguist or psycholinguist may each use this book only in part. Two basic assumptions underlie this collection of studies. (1) Signifi cant psycholinguistic study of the problem of first language acquisition requires a basis in linguistic theory. We look to linguistic theory (a) for the formulation of testable hypotheses which are coherent with a general theoretical model of language competence, and which, by empirical confirmation or disconfirmation, will have consequences which can be integra~ed in a general theory of language and of mind. This is because we pursue explanation ~f the problem of firs~ language acquisition, not merely description. (b) We also look to linguistic theory for precision in the description of language stimuli and language behavior in empirical studies. This is in order to promote replicability and interpretability of empirical results: .


Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora

Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora

Author: B. Lust

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2011-11-25

Total Pages: 373

ISBN-13: 9789400945494

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This book is addressed to a central area' of current linguistics and psycholinguistics: anaphora. It is a collection of independent studies by individuals who are currently working, on probleJ,IlS in this area. The book includes two independent volumes. The major focus of these volumes is a psycholinguistic problem: the first language acquisition of anaphora. The volumes are intended to provide a basic reference source for the study of this one central, critical area of language competence. They combine results from the interdisciplinary study this area has attracted in recent years. Each of the studies collected here is intended to be readable indepen dently of the others. Thus a theoretical linguist or psycholinguist may each use this book only in part. Two basic assumptions underlie this collection of studies. (1) Signifi cant psycholinguistic study of the problem of first language acquisition requires a basis in linguistic theory. We look to linguistic theory (a) for the formulation of testable hypotheses which are coherent with a general theoretical model of language competence, and which, by empirical confirmation or disconfirmation, will have consequences which can be integra~ed in a general theory of language and of mind. This is because we pursue explanation ~f the problem of firs~ language acquisition, not merely description. (b) We also look to linguistic theory for precision in the description of language stimuli and language behavior in empirical studies. This is in order to promote replicability and interpretability of empirical results: .


Book Synopsis Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora by : B. Lust

Download or read book Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora written by B. Lust and published by Springer. This book was released on 2011-11-25 with total page 373 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is addressed to a central area' of current linguistics and psycholinguistics: anaphora. It is a collection of independent studies by individuals who are currently working, on probleJ,IlS in this area. The book includes two independent volumes. The major focus of these volumes is a psycholinguistic problem: the first language acquisition of anaphora. The volumes are intended to provide a basic reference source for the study of this one central, critical area of language competence. They combine results from the interdisciplinary study this area has attracted in recent years. Each of the studies collected here is intended to be readable indepen dently of the others. Thus a theoretical linguist or psycholinguist may each use this book only in part. Two basic assumptions underlie this collection of studies. (1) Signifi cant psycholinguistic study of the problem of first language acquisition requires a basis in linguistic theory. We look to linguistic theory (a) for the formulation of testable hypotheses which are coherent with a general theoretical model of language competence, and which, by empirical confirmation or disconfirmation, will have consequences which can be integra~ed in a general theory of language and of mind. This is because we pursue explanation ~f the problem of firs~ language acquisition, not merely description. (b) We also look to linguistic theory for precision in the description of language stimuli and language behavior in empirical studies. This is in order to promote replicability and interpretability of empirical results: .


Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora

Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora

Author: B. Lust

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 9400933878

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Today, one fundamental set of issues confronts both the linguistic theory of 'Universal Grammar' and the psychological study of human cognition. These issues concern the question of to what degree and how the human mind is "programmed," presumably biologically, to acquire the complex knowiedge of human language. As discussed in Volume I, anaphora has been critical to this study because, while a critical property of language knowledge, it is largely underdetermined by available evidence. While most previous research projects have generally addressed these issues through either linguistic analyses or psychological analyses of language data, and have concerned themselves with either the role of innateness or the role of experience in language knowledge, this volume, with its predecessor, attempts to combine these approaches; in fact to develop a research paradigm for their joint study. While Volume I emphasized study of the content and nature of the initial state, i. e. , of the language faculty, this second volume emphasizes study of the way in which experience does or does not interact with this language faculty to determine language acquisition. We argue in the introduction that the issues addressed in Volume II are appreciable, if not necessary, com plements to those addressed in Volume I. This is not only because a more comprehensive model of language acquisition requires so, but because valid definition of the content of 'the initial state' may require so.


Book Synopsis Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora by : B. Lust

Download or read book Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora written by B. Lust and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today, one fundamental set of issues confronts both the linguistic theory of 'Universal Grammar' and the psychological study of human cognition. These issues concern the question of to what degree and how the human mind is "programmed," presumably biologically, to acquire the complex knowiedge of human language. As discussed in Volume I, anaphora has been critical to this study because, while a critical property of language knowledge, it is largely underdetermined by available evidence. While most previous research projects have generally addressed these issues through either linguistic analyses or psychological analyses of language data, and have concerned themselves with either the role of innateness or the role of experience in language knowledge, this volume, with its predecessor, attempts to combine these approaches; in fact to develop a research paradigm for their joint study. While Volume I emphasized study of the content and nature of the initial state, i. e. , of the language faculty, this second volume emphasizes study of the way in which experience does or does not interact with this language faculty to determine language acquisition. We argue in the introduction that the issues addressed in Volume II are appreciable, if not necessary, com plements to those addressed in Volume I. This is not only because a more comprehensive model of language acquisition requires so, but because valid definition of the content of 'the initial state' may require so.


Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora

Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora

Author: Barbara Lust

Publisher:

Published: 1986

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora by : Barbara Lust

Download or read book Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora written by Barbara Lust and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Studies in Anaphora

Studies in Anaphora

Author: Barbara A. Fox

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 530

ISBN-13: 9027229279

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The last 15 years has seen an explosion of research on the topic of anaphora. Studies of anaphora have been important to our understanding of cognitive processes, the relationships between social interaction and grammar, and of directionality in diachronic change. The contributions to this volume represent the “next generation” of studies in anaphora — defined broadly as those morpho-syntactic forms available to speakers for formulating reference — taking as their starting point the foundation of research done in the 1980s. These studies examine in detail, and with a richness of methods and theories, what patterns of anaphoric usage can reveal to us about cognition, social interaction, and language change.


Book Synopsis Studies in Anaphora by : Barbara A. Fox

Download or read book Studies in Anaphora written by Barbara A. Fox and published by John Benjamins Publishing. This book was released on 1996 with total page 530 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The last 15 years has seen an explosion of research on the topic of anaphora. Studies of anaphora have been important to our understanding of cognitive processes, the relationships between social interaction and grammar, and of directionality in diachronic change. The contributions to this volume represent the “next generation” of studies in anaphora — defined broadly as those morpho-syntactic forms available to speakers for formulating reference — taking as their starting point the foundation of research done in the 1980s. These studies examine in detail, and with a richness of methods and theories, what patterns of anaphoric usage can reveal to us about cognition, social interaction, and language change.


A Parameter-Setting Model of L2 Acquisition

A Parameter-Setting Model of L2 Acquisition

Author: S. Flynn

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 9400937474

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Recent developments in linguistic theory have led to an important reorientation of research in related fields of linguistic inquiry as well as in linguistics itself. The developments I have in mind, viewed from the point of view of government-binding theory, have to do with the character ization of Universal Grammar (UG) as a set of subtheories, each with its set of central principles (perhaps just one principle central to each subtheory) and parameters (perhaps just one for each principle) according to which a principle can vary between an unmarked ('-') and a marked ('+') para metric value (Chomsky, 1985; 1986). For example, let us assume that there is an X-bar theory in explanation of those features of phrase structure irreducible to other subtheo ries of UG. Within X-bar theory variation among languages is then allowed only with respect to the position the head of a phrase occupies in rela t ion to its complemen ts such that the phrases of a language will be either right- or left-headed. Thus languages will vary between being right-headed in this respect (as in Japanese phrase structure) and being left-headed (as in English phrase structure). Everything else about the phrase structure of particular languages will be fixed within X-bar theory itself or else it will fallout from other subtheories of UG: Case theory; 0-theory, etc. (Chomsky, 1985:161-62; Chomsky, 1986:2-4; and references cited there). Hatters are the same in other modules of grammar.


Book Synopsis A Parameter-Setting Model of L2 Acquisition by : S. Flynn

Download or read book A Parameter-Setting Model of L2 Acquisition written by S. Flynn and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent developments in linguistic theory have led to an important reorientation of research in related fields of linguistic inquiry as well as in linguistics itself. The developments I have in mind, viewed from the point of view of government-binding theory, have to do with the character ization of Universal Grammar (UG) as a set of subtheories, each with its set of central principles (perhaps just one principle central to each subtheory) and parameters (perhaps just one for each principle) according to which a principle can vary between an unmarked ('-') and a marked ('+') para metric value (Chomsky, 1985; 1986). For example, let us assume that there is an X-bar theory in explanation of those features of phrase structure irreducible to other subtheo ries of UG. Within X-bar theory variation among languages is then allowed only with respect to the position the head of a phrase occupies in rela t ion to its complemen ts such that the phrases of a language will be either right- or left-headed. Thus languages will vary between being right-headed in this respect (as in Japanese phrase structure) and being left-headed (as in English phrase structure). Everything else about the phrase structure of particular languages will be fixed within X-bar theory itself or else it will fallout from other subtheories of UG: Case theory; 0-theory, etc. (Chomsky, 1985:161-62; Chomsky, 1986:2-4; and references cited there). Hatters are the same in other modules of grammar.


Constraints on the Acquisition of Anaphora in Adult English as a Second Language

Constraints on the Acquisition of Anaphora in Adult English as a Second Language

Author: Iong Chen

Publisher:

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 221

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Constraints on the Acquisition of Anaphora in Adult English as a Second Language by : Iong Chen

Download or read book Constraints on the Acquisition of Anaphora in Adult English as a Second Language written by Iong Chen and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Computational Psycholinguistics

Computational Psycholinguistics

Author: Matthew W. Crocker

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 255

ISBN-13: 9400916000

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Computational Psycholinguistics: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Study of Language investigates the architecture and mechanisms which underlie the human capacity to process language. It is the first such study to integrate modern syntactic theory, cross-linguistic psychological evidence, and modern computational techniques in constructing a model of the human sentence processing mechanism. The monograph follows the rationalist tradition, arguing the central role of modularity and universal grammar in a theory of human linguistic performance. It refines the notion of `modularity of mind', and presents a distributed model of syntactic processing which consists of modules aligned with the various informational `types' associated with modern linguistic theories. By considering psycholinguistic evidence from a range of languages, a small number of processing principles are motivated and are demonstrated to hold universally. It is also argued that the behavior of modules, and the strategies operative within them, can be derived from an overarching `Principle of Incremental Comprehension'. Audience: The book is recommended to all linguists, psycholinguists, computational linguists, and others interested in a unified and interdisciplinary study of the human language faculty.


Book Synopsis Computational Psycholinguistics by : Matthew W. Crocker

Download or read book Computational Psycholinguistics written by Matthew W. Crocker and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Computational Psycholinguistics: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Study of Language investigates the architecture and mechanisms which underlie the human capacity to process language. It is the first such study to integrate modern syntactic theory, cross-linguistic psychological evidence, and modern computational techniques in constructing a model of the human sentence processing mechanism. The monograph follows the rationalist tradition, arguing the central role of modularity and universal grammar in a theory of human linguistic performance. It refines the notion of `modularity of mind', and presents a distributed model of syntactic processing which consists of modules aligned with the various informational `types' associated with modern linguistic theories. By considering psycholinguistic evidence from a range of languages, a small number of processing principles are motivated and are demonstrated to hold universally. It is also argued that the behavior of modules, and the strategies operative within them, can be derived from an overarching `Principle of Incremental Comprehension'. Audience: The book is recommended to all linguists, psycholinguists, computational linguists, and others interested in a unified and interdisciplinary study of the human language faculty.


Development of the Syntax-Discourse Interface

Development of the Syntax-Discourse Interface

Author: S. Avrutin

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-04-17

Total Pages: 227

ISBN-13: 9401712395

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In this book, I address several issues of child linguistic development from the perspective of the syntax -discourse interface. Traditionally, language acquisition research has focused on the development of one of the linguistic modules, e.g. acquisition of syntax, morphology or phonology. While this approach can be viewed as fruitful in some cases, there is a number of linguistic phenomena whose explanation depends on the interaction of different modules and, therefore, different domains of linguistic knowledge. A typical example is pronominal anaphora: It can be shown that to correctly use pronominal elements, normal adult speakers must possess both syntactic and pragmatic knowledge, and that these kinds of knowledge must interact with each other. With regard to the language acquisition process, such phenomena suggest a somewhat different approach to the language acquisition research. Indeed, if some experimental studies show that children make errors in the construction under investigation, it will be necessary to consider these results from the point of view of the interaction of the different domains of linguistic knowledge involved in their interpretation. In other words, if this particular construction requires the integration of, for example, syntactic and discourse-based knowledge, children's errors may, in principle, be due to their lack of the former, the latter, or both kinds of knowledge, and cannot be taken as direct evidence for the "underdeveloped" status of just one of them.


Book Synopsis Development of the Syntax-Discourse Interface by : S. Avrutin

Download or read book Development of the Syntax-Discourse Interface written by S. Avrutin and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-04-17 with total page 227 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this book, I address several issues of child linguistic development from the perspective of the syntax -discourse interface. Traditionally, language acquisition research has focused on the development of one of the linguistic modules, e.g. acquisition of syntax, morphology or phonology. While this approach can be viewed as fruitful in some cases, there is a number of linguistic phenomena whose explanation depends on the interaction of different modules and, therefore, different domains of linguistic knowledge. A typical example is pronominal anaphora: It can be shown that to correctly use pronominal elements, normal adult speakers must possess both syntactic and pragmatic knowledge, and that these kinds of knowledge must interact with each other. With regard to the language acquisition process, such phenomena suggest a somewhat different approach to the language acquisition research. Indeed, if some experimental studies show that children make errors in the construction under investigation, it will be necessary to consider these results from the point of view of the interaction of the different domains of linguistic knowledge involved in their interpretation. In other words, if this particular construction requires the integration of, for example, syntactic and discourse-based knowledge, children's errors may, in principle, be due to their lack of the former, the latter, or both kinds of knowledge, and cannot be taken as direct evidence for the "underdeveloped" status of just one of them.


Reanalysis in Sentence Processing

Reanalysis in Sentence Processing

Author: J. Fodor

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-03-14

Total Pages: 421

ISBN-13: 9401590702

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The topic addressed in this volume lies within the study of sentence processing, which is one of the major divisions of psycholinguistics. The goal has been to understand the structure and functioning of the mental mechanisms involved in sentence comprehension. Most of the experimental and theoretical work during the last twenty or thirty years has focused on 'first-pass parsing', the process of assigning structure to a sentence as its words are encountered, one at a time, 'from left to right' . One important guiding idea has been to delineate the processing mechanisms by studying where they fai!. For this purpose we identify types of sentences which perceivers have trouble assigning structure to. An important class of perceptually difficult senten ces are those which contain temporary ambiguities. Since the parsing mechanism cannot tell what the intended structure is, it may make an incorrect guess. Then later on in the sentence, the structure assignment process breaks down, because the later words do not fit with the incorrect structural analysis. This is called a 'garden path' situation. When it occurs, the parsing mechanism must somehow correct itself, and find a different analysis which is compatible with the incoming words. This reanalysis process is the subject of the research reported here.


Book Synopsis Reanalysis in Sentence Processing by : J. Fodor

Download or read book Reanalysis in Sentence Processing written by J. Fodor and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-03-14 with total page 421 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The topic addressed in this volume lies within the study of sentence processing, which is one of the major divisions of psycholinguistics. The goal has been to understand the structure and functioning of the mental mechanisms involved in sentence comprehension. Most of the experimental and theoretical work during the last twenty or thirty years has focused on 'first-pass parsing', the process of assigning structure to a sentence as its words are encountered, one at a time, 'from left to right' . One important guiding idea has been to delineate the processing mechanisms by studying where they fai!. For this purpose we identify types of sentences which perceivers have trouble assigning structure to. An important class of perceptually difficult senten ces are those which contain temporary ambiguities. Since the parsing mechanism cannot tell what the intended structure is, it may make an incorrect guess. Then later on in the sentence, the structure assignment process breaks down, because the later words do not fit with the incorrect structural analysis. This is called a 'garden path' situation. When it occurs, the parsing mechanism must somehow correct itself, and find a different analysis which is compatible with the incoming words. This reanalysis process is the subject of the research reported here.