This term paper deals with the acquisition of English indefinite pronouns in First Language Learning. The centre of attention of my study will be the two major groups of indefinite pronouns that exist in English, specifically the compound indefinite pronouns and the indefinite of-pronouns which will be discussed in more detail in point 2 of this work.
My first thesis to prove is that children acquire compound indefinite pro-nouns later than of-pronouns. Due to the fact that children generally acquire simple forms earlier than complex ones, one can say that the first indefinite pronouns that children acquire are indefinite of-pronouns for the reason that they are much easier than complex indefinite pronouns because they consist of one morpheme only. My second thesis to examine refers to an observation by QUIRK et al. (1992: 378). They say that in Standard American and British English, compound indefinite pronouns ending in -one, are generally more frequently used in adult speech because they are more elegant. According to Quirk’s finding, I assume that indefinite pronouns ending in -one will be learned earlier than those ending in -body. Therefore, I will check this thesis with the help of data selected from the CHILDES database.

Extracto

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

1. Abstract
2. Something general on indefinite pronouns
3. Data and method
4. Results
- 4.1 A comparison of the subjects
- 4.2 Frequencies of indefinite pronouns
- 4.3 The acquisition of compound indefinite pronouns after indefinite of-pronouns
- 4.4 The acquisition of compound indefinite pronouns ending in -one and -body
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This term paper investigates the acquisition of English indefinite pronouns in first language acquisition. The study focuses on two main groups: compound indefinite pronouns and indefinite of-pronouns. The primary objectives are to determine whether children acquire compound indefinite pronouns later than of-pronouns and to examine the relative acquisition rates of compound indefinite pronouns ending in -one versus -body, based on observations suggesting -one endings are more frequent in adult speech.

Acquisition order of indefinite pronouns (compound vs. of-pronouns)
Frequency of use of different types of indefinite pronouns in child language
Influence of morphological complexity on acquisition
Comparison of acquisition patterns between different children
Relationship between frequency of use in adult speech and acquisition order

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

1. Abstract: This abstract introduces the term paper's focus on the acquisition of English indefinite pronouns in first language learning. It highlights the central role of compound indefinite pronouns and indefinite of-pronouns, promising a detailed discussion in section 2. The abstract presents two key hypotheses: that children acquire compound indefinite pronouns later than of-pronouns due to their greater complexity, and that indefinite pronouns ending in -one will be acquired earlier than those ending in -body, based on their higher frequency in adult speech as noted by Quirk et al. (1992).

2. Something general on indefinite pronouns: This chapter provides a general overview of indefinite pronouns within the broader context of pronouns. It draws upon Gallmann and Sitta (2001) to define pronouns as companions and representatives of nouns, clarifying that many pronouns function in both capacities. The chapter discusses the various types of pronouns and the challenges of classification, highlighting the unique nature of indefinite pronouns as expressions of unspecified quantities. Crucially, it differentiates indefinite pronouns from other pronoun types, emphasizing their lack of definiteness and their function as quantifiers. Building upon Quirk et al. (1992), the chapter distinguishes between the two main classes of indefinite pronouns: compound pronouns (with their internal structure and subdivisions based on reference and meaning) and of-pronouns (characterized by their partitive of-phrases and substitutive function). The chapter concludes by contrasting the stylistic differences between compound pronouns ending in -one and -body, reiterating Quirk's observation that those ending in -one are more common in adult speech due to their more sophisticated sound.

3. Data and method: This chapter details the methodology employed in the study, explaining that the data comes from the CHILDES corpus, specifically the recordings of children Adam and Eve made by Roger Brown. It describes the process of converting absolute pronoun counts into relative counts to account for differing file lengths, ensuring comparability across the dataset. The chapter also explains the commands used to locate specific instances of indefinite pronouns in the CHILDES database and clarifies the challenges of distinguishing certain of-pronouns from adjectives. The chapter concludes by presenting Table 1 which lists all indefinite pronouns under investigation, categorized as either compound indefinite pronouns or indefinite of-pronouns.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Indefinite pronouns, first language acquisition, child language, compound pronouns, of-pronouns, CHILDES corpus, morphology, syntax, acquisition order, frequency of use.

FAQ: Acquisition of English Indefinite Pronouns in First Language Acquisition

What is the main topic of this term paper?

This term paper investigates the acquisition of English indefinite pronouns in first language acquisition, focusing on compound indefinite pronouns and indefinite of-pronouns. It examines the order in which children acquire these pronouns and explores the influence of factors like morphological complexity and frequency of use in adult speech.

What are the key research questions?

The study aims to determine: 1) whether children acquire compound indefinite pronouns later than of-pronouns; and 2) whether compound indefinite pronouns ending in "-one" are acquired earlier than those ending in "-body".

What types of indefinite pronouns are examined?

The study focuses on two main groups: compound indefinite pronouns (e.g., someone, anyone) and indefinite of-pronouns (e.g., some of, any of). The paper further distinguishes within compound pronouns based on their ending (-one vs. -body).

What data was used in the study?

The data comes from the CHILDES corpus, specifically the recordings of children Adam and Eve made by Roger Brown. Absolute pronoun counts were converted into relative counts to account for variations in file lengths.

What methodology was employed?

The study involved analyzing the CHILDES corpus to identify instances of the target indefinite pronouns. Specific commands were used to locate these instances, addressing challenges in distinguishing certain of-pronouns from adjectives. The analysis compared the relative frequencies and acquisition order of different pronoun types.

What are the key findings (preview)?

While the full results are detailed in the paper, the preview suggests that the study will compare acquisition rates of compound vs. of-pronouns and those ending in "-one" versus "-body," relating findings to their frequency in adult speech (as noted by Quirk et al., 1992).

What are the hypotheses of the study?

The study hypothesizes that children will acquire compound indefinite pronouns later than of-pronouns due to increased complexity, and that indefinite pronouns ending in "-one" will be acquired earlier than those ending in "-body" due to higher frequency in adult speech.

What is the significance of the study?

The study contributes to our understanding of first language acquisition by examining the development of a specific linguistic structure (indefinite pronouns) and the interplay between factors such as morphology, syntax, and frequency of use.

What are the keywords associated with this study?