This paper is mainly investigating the properties of parameters and their connection to language acquisition. One of the core questions will be, in how far Chomsky´s assumption of parameters being generally equipped with a default value can be validated. In order to obtain a more detailed account of parameters in language acquisition, a chronological analysis of relevant study areas will be made, moving from a broad perspective to more and more detailed descriptions. This analysis contains a brief overview of the Faculty of Language and the LAD as well as of Universal Grammar, simply because the parameters in question derive from these systems. Afterwards a detailed look will be taken on specific features of parameters, taking Meisel´s text `Parameters in Acquisition´ as a basis. To become more specific in order to further question certain features of parameters that have occurred by then, further linguistic fields will be taken into account, namely bilingual studies, neurolinguistics, and computational linguistics.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction:
- Language Faculty/LAD:
- Universal Grammar:
- Principles and Parameters:
- Maturation and Continuity:
- Parameter Theory:
- The Initial State of Parameters:
- Triggering:
- Possible Settings of Parameter Values:
- Parameters and Bilingualism.
- Parameters in Computational Linguistics:.
- Conclusion:.
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper investigates the properties of parameters and their connection to language acquisition. The author explores how Chomsky's assumption of parameters having a default value can be validated. The analysis follows a chronological approach, beginning with a broad perspective and progressively moving to more detailed descriptions. It examines the Faculty of Language, the LAD, and Universal Grammar, while delving deeper into specific features of parameters. Bilingualism, neurolinguistics, and computational linguistics are also considered to further analyze specific features of parameters.
- Properties of parameters and their connection to language acquisition
- Chomsky's assumption of parameters having a default value
- The Faculty of Language, the LAD, and Universal Grammar
- Specific features of parameters
- The influence of bilingualism, neurolinguistics, and computational linguistics on parameter theory
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's objectives and the chronological approach to analyzing parameters in language acquisition. It introduces the core question of validating Chomsky's assumption of parameters having a default value.
- Language Faculty/LAD: This chapter defines the Faculty of Language as a human tool for incorporating, processing, and producing speech. It discusses the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) and its role in enabling children to learn languages automatically. The chapter further explores the distinction between the Faculty of Language in the broad sense (FLB) and in the narrow sense (FLN) and their evolutionary significance.
- Universal Grammar: This chapter delves into the theory of Universal Grammar (UG), its principles and parameters, and its connection to the Faculty of Language. It explores how UG helps address "Plato's Problem" by providing an innate knowledge base for language acquisition.
- Principles and Parameters: This chapter elaborates on the "Principle and Parameter Theory" and its distinction between universal principles and parameters. It explains how principles apply to all human languages, while parameters are set according to the specific language being acquired. This chapter also discusses absolute and relative universals and the "Theory of Core Grammar" with its emphasis on unmarked, default values.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main focus of this paper is on parameters in language acquisition, exploring their properties and their connection to Chomsky's Universal Grammar. Key concepts include the Faculty of Language, the LAD, principles and parameters, default values, triggering, and the relationship between language acquisition and bilingualism, neurolinguistics, and computational linguistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are parameters in language acquisition?
Parameters are specific settings in Universal Grammar that are adjusted based on the language a child is exposed to.
What is Chomsky's assumption about default values?
Chomsky assumes that parameters are initially equipped with an "unmarked" or default value before being triggered by language input.
What is the Language Acquisition Device (LAD)?
An innate human faculty that enables children to learn their native language automatically and rapidly.
How does bilingualism affect parameter theory?
The study investigates how children setting parameters for two different languages simultaneously provides insight into the flexibility of Universal Grammar.
What is "Plato's Problem" in linguistics?
The question of how humans can know so much about language given the relatively limited input they receive during childhood.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jens Stuhlemer (Autor:in), 2015, Properties of parameters and their connection to language acquisition, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/379228
