Stock Status: Out of Stock. To be Ordered in
Within a new model of language acquisition, this book discusses verb second (V2) word order in situations where there is variation in the input. While
traditional generative accounts ...
Within a new model of language acquisition, this book discusses verb second (V2) word order in situations where there is variation in the input. While
traditional generative accounts consider V2 to be a parameter, this study shows that, in many languages, this word order is dependent on fine distinctions
in syntax and information structure. Thus, within a split-CP model of clause structure, a number of micro-cues are formulated, taking into account the
specific context for V2 vs. non-V2 (clause type, subcategory of the elements involved, etc.).
The micro-cues are produced in children's I-language grammars on exposure to the relevant input. Focusing on a dialect of Norwegian, the book shows that
children generally produce target-consistent V2 and non-V2 from early on, indicating that they are sensitive to the micro-cues. This includes contexts
where word order is dependent on information structure. The children's occasional non-target-consistent behavior is accounted for by economy principles.
