Introduction Flashcards
Logical problem of language acquisition (LPLA)
The manner in which children acquire language is not predicted by the kind of language they hear
Input
Children’s exposition to language
True or false : children universally make the same kind of mistakes when learning their L1
True
Negative evidence
Evidence for what is not possible in a language (e.g. correction)
Positive evidence
Evidence of what is possible in a language
Type of evidence we give more to children
Positive evidence
Developmental problem of language acquisition
If children are preequiped with expectations of how language works, why are they not learning language quicker ?
Language acquisition is a process of ____ creation
Grammar
Observation that drives universal grammar
Some aspects of language cannot be learned from input only
Induction
Going from examples to general rule
Structure dependent rule
Rule that refers to an underlying structure (e.g. hierarchical structure of syntax)
Structure dependence is an example of a …
Learning bias
Poverty of the stimulus
Idea that the input to children is missing important information
Innate biases prevent children from considering analyses of language that are incompatible with human _____
Grammar
2 major components of language according to UG
Lexicon and computatinal unit
Lexicon
Contains all lexical entries for a language
Computational unit
Series of procedures or rules that combine lexical entries from the lexicon
True or false : according to UG, children already have a fully formed computational unit
True
Linear hypothesis of yes-no questions movement
Move the first verbal element to the front of the sentence (e.g. “He is happy” turns into “Is he happy?”)
Case in which the linear hypothesis fails
When there is a verbal element in the subject such as in “The man who is in custody is guilty.” (creates “Is the man who in custody is guilty”)
Structure dependent hypothesis of yes-no questions movement
Move the verbal element in the main clause (after the subject) to the front of the sentence
True or false : children do not make linear hypothesis mistakes in yes-no questions movement
True
Bias that prevents children from making linear hypothesis mistakes
Language has a hierarchical organization; not a linear one
Children mostly hear ___ auxiliary questions
Single
Poverty of the stimulus is linked not to amount, but to precise evidence needed to overcome the problem of _____
Induction
True or false : double auxiliary questions are extremely rare in the input children receive
True
Language is inherently _____ in terms of how it can be analyzed
Ambiguous
Reason why children do not see the ambiguity of language
They are predisposed to learn language in a structural manner
