Studies in the Acquisition of Anaphora: Defining the Constraints

ISBN-13: 9789027721228 / Angielski / Miękka / 1986 / 373 str.

B. Lust; Barbara Lust

Opis

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: ."

Recenzje

`...the book is thorough, clear and true to it purpose. It is an excellent textbook for a course in theoretical psycholinguistics and most of all, is simply "a good read".'
Language, Vol. 64, No. 2, 1988

Spis treści

A Theoretical Base.- Reflections on Anaphora.- Center and Periphery in the Grammar of Anaphora.- Fundamental Issues in the Theory of Binding.- B First Language Acquisition: Experimental Studies.- 1. Null (Bound) Anaphora.- How Children Acquire Bound Variables.- 2. Pronoun (Free) Anaphora.- The 3-D Study: Effects of Depth, Distance and Directionality on Children’s Acquisition of Anaphora.- 3. Distinguishing Bound and Free Anaphora.- A Comparison of Null and Pronoun Anaphora in First Language Acquisition.- 4. Control.- Syntactic and Lexical Constraints on the Acquisition of Control in Complement Sentences.- C Commentary.- Crossover Between Acquisition Research and Government and Binding Theory: Comments on the Paper by Tom Roeper.- Blocked Forwards Coreference: Theoretical Implications of the Acquisition Data.- List Of Contributors.- Table of Contents for Volume II.- Index of Names.- Index of Subjects.