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The transition from optional to required subjects*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 February 2009

William O'Grady ,
Ann M. Peters  and
Deborah Masterson
William O'Grady*
Affiliation:
University of Calgary
Ann M. Peters
Affiliation:
University of Hawaii
Deborah Masterson
Affiliation:
University of Hawaii
*
Department of Linguistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
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Abstract

We propose (contra Hyams, 1986) that the optional subject phenomenon in early child language arises because children have not yet acquired the morphological elements (primarily modals and tense) necessary to distinguish Subject-Taking (ST) verbs (e.g. finite verbs) from their non-Subject-Taking (NST) counterparts (e.g. infinitives). Unaware of this distinction, children are able only to observe that verbs sometimes occur with subjects and sometimes without. We show that our proposal makes a number of developmental predictions which we then test with the help of longitudinal data from three children. We conclude that: (i) There is no systematic morphological distinction between ST and NST verbs during the optional subject stage (OSS). (2) The emergence of the distinction between ST and NST verbs is gradual rather than sudden. (3) There is variation from child to child in terms of which morphologically-defined subclass of verbs is first recognized as subject-taking. (4) There is no link between the emergence of modals or contracted copulas and the end of the OSS.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Child Language , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , October 1989 , pp. 513 - 529
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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Footnotes

*

We would like to express our appreciation to Kate Parker for her contribution to the data analysis. We would also like to thank Robert Bley-Vroman, Michael Long, and Joyce Hildebrand for their helpful comments and discussion. The transcripts for Adam and Eve were made available through the Child Language Data Exchange System (CHILDES) – see MacWhinney & Snow (1985). The transcription of the audiotaped portion of Seth's data was supported in part by NSF grant BNS-8418272.

References

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