The null-subject parameter or pro-drop parameter is one of the most discussed parameters in language acquisition. It is said that all children omit subjects until a certain age. Some studies claim that this happens due to the initial setting of the null-subject parameter. In this research paper different factors pertaining to the phenomenon of the so-called null-subject parameter will be discussed.
During the essay the majority of the focus will be will be placed on the discussion of that parameter. Therefore, different studies, which examine and try to explain the phenomenon of the null-subject parameter and the omission of subjects in early child language will be consulted, discussed and reflected upon. The main goal of the paper will be to answer the question whether the non-null-subject parameter is set from the beginning in the grammar of children who acquire English as a first language.
Firstly, a brief explanation of the Principles and Parameter Theory will be given and the null-subject parameter or pro-drop parameter and its importance in language acquisition will be explained. To facilitate the explanation of the said parameter some examples of sentences from non-null subject languages, such as English and null-subject languages, such as Italian, Greek and Spanish will be provided. Then, an overview of different approaches, studies and claims considering the null-subject parameter and the omission of subjects will be provided in order to outline the further processing of that essay.
Secondly, it will be moved on to the next part of the paper where two opposed studies, which try to explain why children omit subjects and if the reason for that omission is the null-subject parameter, will be presented and described. In order not to go beyond the scope of this paper, not all the available studies on that topic will be discussed.
In the next part of the paper, the selected studies’ findings will be stated and reflected. Furthermore, these studies will be compared to each other, to show possible differences and similarities regarding the different approaches. Based on that, their importance concerning the omission of subjects and the null-subject parameter will be outlined and discussed critically.
In the last part of the paper, the most important issues will be summarized and evaluated. Based on all findings of this paper and on the preceding discussion, a conclusion will be drawn in order to answer the research question.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 State of Art
2.1 Principles and Parameters
2.2 The null-subject parameter
2.3 Studies on that field
3.0 Data
3.1 The pro-Hypothesis
3.2 The dual-value-solution
4.0 Discussion
5.0 Conclusion
Objectives & Research Topics
This paper examines the phenomenon of subject omission in early child language acquisition, specifically focusing on whether the non-null-subject parameter is innately set in English-speaking children. It analyzes competing theoretical perspectives to determine if subject omission stems from competence deficits or performance limitations during the language acquisition process.
- Principles and Parameters Theory in child language development.
- The role of the null-subject parameter (pro-drop) in English and other languages.
- Critical comparison of the pro-drop hypothesis (Hyams) versus the dual-value-solution (Valian).
- Analysis of empirical data concerning subject and expletive usage in children.
- Evaluation of trigger mechanisms for parameter resetting in early grammar.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 The pro-Hypothesis
Hyams claims that children start out with the pro-drop parameter, which is set to the value that allows null-subjects, i.e. the Italian-like value (cf. Hyams 1986: Preface x). She proposes a variation of the null-subject parameter, which she calls AG/PRO-parameter. In languages were AG=PRO, subject omissions are allowed (cf. Hyams 1986: 32). AG means agreement and includes agreement for person, number and gender in respect to the subject (cf. Hyams 1986: 12). The assumption of Hyams is that children omit subjects together with expletives such as it and there, but also modal verbs. She claims that as soon as children stop to omit subjects, they acquire as well the correct usage of expletives as well as of modals and that those elements are the trigger to provoke the resetting of the parameter.
Summary of Chapters
1.0 Introduction: This chapter defines the null-subject parameter and sets the research goal of determining if the non-null-subject parameter is present from the beginning of English language acquisition.
2.0 State of Art: This section provides the theoretical foundation of Universal Grammar and compares morphological and syntactic differences between pro-drop and non-pro-drop languages.
2.1 Principles and Parameters: This chapter explains the core concepts of innate principles and structural parameters as defined by Noam Chomsky.
2.2 The null-subject parameter: This chapter details the two possible settings of the null-subject parameter and the process of parameter resetting through linguistic input.
2.3 Studies on that field: This chapter introduces the concepts of competence and performance and presents the two opposing approaches by Nina Hyams and Virginia Valian.
3.0 Data: This chapter introduces the empirical data used by Hyams and Valian to support their conflicting theories regarding subject omission.
3.1 The pro-Hypothesis: This chapter outlines Hyams' theory that children initially operate with an Italian-like (pro-drop) grammar.
3.2 The dual-value-solution: This chapter examines Valian's argument that both parameter values are initially accessible to the child.
4.0 Discussion: This chapter critically evaluates the findings of Hyams and Valian, addressing the subset problem and the potential role of expletives and modals as triggers.
5.0 Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the analysis and concludes that neither theory provides a definitive answer, suggesting that the initial parameter setting remains a complex, unresolved issue.
Keywords
Null-subject parameter, pro-drop, language acquisition, subject omission, Principles and Parameters Theory, competence, performance, Universal Grammar, expletives, modals, child language, parameter setting, subset problem, syntax, morphosyntax
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The paper focuses on why children omit subjects in early language and whether this is due to an innate initial setting of the null-subject parameter.
What are the central thematic fields discussed?
The main themes include linguistic parameter theory, the contrast between pro-drop and non-pro-drop languages, and the debate between competence-based and performance-based acquisition models.
What is the main research question?
The paper seeks to answer whether the non-null-subject parameter is set from the very beginning in the grammar of children acquiring English as their first language.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The work utilizes a comparative literature review of empirical studies (primarily Hyams 1986 and Valian 1991), evaluating data from child speech corpora.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical background of Universal Grammar, the presentation of the Pro-Hypothesis versus the Dual-Value-Solution, and a critical discussion of the provided data.
What key terms characterize this study?
Core terms include the null-subject parameter, pro-drop, competence, performance, and parameter triggering.
How does Hyams interpret the presence of subjectless sentences?
Hyams interprets subjectless sentences as evidence that children initially adopt an Italian-like (pro-drop) grammar and must undergo a parameter reset once they acquire expletives and modals.
Why does Valian disagree with the single-value solution?
Valian argues that if children were restricted to a single value, they would face the subset problem and be unable to properly analyze the contradictory input they receive from their environment.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Andriana Zaroti (Autor:in), 2014, Subject Omission in Early Child Language, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/276587
