Semantic interactions of quantificational expressions in child language

Utako Minai; Stephen Crain

Semantic interactions of quantificational expressions in child language

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference proceeding contribution › peer-review

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Abstract

The nature of language acquisition has fueled a debate between the generative approach and the constructivist approach. These approaches disagree about both the quantity and quality of innate linguistic knowledge. The present study compares these two approaches using children’s acquisition of the semantics of quantification. Specifically, we investigate whether children are aware of a semantic property associated with the universal quantifier every, and its non-local interaction with the negative quantifier nobody. Children’s adult-like comprehension of sentences with these two quantificational expressions reveals early mastery of the complex semantic properties of natural languages, and is suggestive of innate linguistic knowledge.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition - North America, Honolulu 2006
Editors	Kamil Ud. Deen, Jun Nomura, Barbara Schulz, Bonnie D. Schwartz
Place of Publication	USA
Publisher	University of Connecticut Occasional Papers in Linguistics
Pages	205-216
Number of pages	12
Volume	1
Publication status	Published - 2006
Event	Conference on Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition North America (1st : 2004) - Honolulu, United States Duration: 17 Dec 2004 → 20 Dec 2004

Conference

Conference	Conference on Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition North America (1st : 2004)
Country/Territory	United States
City	Honolulu
Period	17/12/04 → 20/12/04

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Cite this

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title = "Semantic interactions of quantificational expressions in child language",

abstract = "The nature of language acquisition has fueled a debate between the generative approach and the constructivist approach. These approaches disagree about both the quantity and quality of innate linguistic knowledge. The present study compares these two approaches using children{\textquoteright}s acquisition of the semantics of quantification. Specifically, we investigate whether children are aware of a semantic property associated with the universal quantifier every, and its non-local interaction with the negative quantifier nobody. Children{\textquoteright}s adult-like comprehension of sentences with these two quantificational expressions reveals early mastery of the complex semantic properties of natural languages, and is suggestive of innate linguistic knowledge.",

author = "Utako Minai and Stephen Crain",

year = "2006",

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booktitle = "Proceedings of Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition - North America, Honolulu 2006",

publisher = "University of Connecticut Occasional Papers in Linguistics",

note = "Conference on Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition North America (1st : 2004) ; Conference date: 17-12-2004 Through 20-12-2004",

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Minai, U & Crain, S 2006, Semantic interactions of quantificational expressions in child language. in KU Deen, J Nomura, B Schulz & BD Schwartz (eds), Proceedings of Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition - North America, Honolulu 2006. vol. 1, University of Connecticut Occasional Papers in Linguistics, USA, pp. 205-216, Conference on Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition North America (1st : 2004), Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 17/12/04.

Semantic interactions of quantificational expressions in child language. / Minai, Utako; Crain, Stephen.
Proceedings of Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition - North America, Honolulu 2006. ed. / Kamil Ud. Deen; Jun Nomura; Barbara Schulz; Bonnie D. Schwartz. Vol. 1 USA: University of Connecticut Occasional Papers in Linguistics, 2006. p. 205-216.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference proceeding contribution › peer-review

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AU - Minai, Utako

AU - Crain, Stephen

PY - 2006

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N2 - The nature of language acquisition has fueled a debate between the generative approach and the constructivist approach. These approaches disagree about both the quantity and quality of innate linguistic knowledge. The present study compares these two approaches using children’s acquisition of the semantics of quantification. Specifically, we investigate whether children are aware of a semantic property associated with the universal quantifier every, and its non-local interaction with the negative quantifier nobody. Children’s adult-like comprehension of sentences with these two quantificational expressions reveals early mastery of the complex semantic properties of natural languages, and is suggestive of innate linguistic knowledge.

AB - The nature of language acquisition has fueled a debate between the generative approach and the constructivist approach. These approaches disagree about both the quantity and quality of innate linguistic knowledge. The present study compares these two approaches using children’s acquisition of the semantics of quantification. Specifically, we investigate whether children are aware of a semantic property associated with the universal quantifier every, and its non-local interaction with the negative quantifier nobody. Children’s adult-like comprehension of sentences with these two quantificational expressions reveals early mastery of the complex semantic properties of natural languages, and is suggestive of innate linguistic knowledge.

M3 - Conference proceeding contribution

VL - 1

SP - 205

EP - 216

BT - Proceedings of Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition - North America, Honolulu 2006

A2 - Deen, Kamil Ud.

A2 - Nomura, Jun

A2 - Schulz, Barbara

A2 - Schwartz, Bonnie D.

PB - University of Connecticut Occasional Papers in Linguistics

CY - USA

T2 - Conference on Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition North America (1st : 2004)

Y2 - 17 December 2004 through 20 December 2004

ER -

Semantic interactions of quantificational expressions in child language

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