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Null subjects: a problem for parameter-setting models of language acquisition.

V Valian1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Hunter College, New York, NY 10021.

Cognition
|May 1, 1990
PubMed
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Children acquiring language determine null subject parameter settings by initially considering both English-like and Italian-like values. This dual-value approach, unlike single-value theories, accounts for parser limitations and misleading input during language acquisition.

Area of Science:

  • Linguistics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Computational Linguistics

Background:

  • Languages vary in subject pronoun requirements; English needs overt subjects, while Italian and Spanish allow null subjects.
  • Children must determine their native language's null subject parameter during acquisition.
  • Current parameter-setting theory suggests an initial setting that may be reset based on input.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the efficacy of the single-value parameter-setting model for null subject acquisition.
  • To propose and advocate for a dual-value parameter-setting solution.
  • To explain how children might resolve the null subject parameter using available linguistic data.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of parameter-setting models in child language acquisition.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of potential limitations in child language parsers.
  • Consideration of the impact of input data, including potentially misleading examples.

    • Main Results:

    • The single-value solution is insufficient due to parser constraints and input ambiguity.
    • A dual-value approach, where both parameter values are initially available, is more robust.
    • Children may employ theory-confirmation strategies to select the correct parameter value.

    Conclusions:

    • The proposed dual-value model offers a more plausible explanation for null subject acquisition.
    • This model better addresses the complexities of early linguistic data processing by children.
    • Future research should explore the specific theory-confirmation procedures children utilize.