Collaborative Research: A Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Cross-Linguistic Acquisition of Binding

本项目将通过对语言能力的一个模块的发展进行详细的实验研究，探讨当前语言习得中的一些理论问题，该模块是绑定理论的主题。英文和中文。该项目将描绘这一发展的许多重要方面。英文数据将在美国收集，中文数据将在台湾收集，与那里的同事合作。要考虑的主题将包括：(1)乔姆斯基关于约束变量和指称代词的“原则B”的表述与儿童对原则的认识之间的相互作用；(2)幼儿汉语中明显缺乏远距离联系；(3)用子集原理和具有独立参数的参数化理论来解释异常习得现象的可能性，以及另一方面用相互关联的发展理论来解释异常习得现象的可能性；(4)通过自反体的LF运动解释远距离结合，远距离结合发展缓慢；(5)非规范模式的发展，如链结合和附属物的结合。受语言学理论发展的影响，儿童语言习得的研究正朝着寻求更全面、更形式化的理论模型的方向发展。这个项目反映了这一趋势，并进一步推动了这一趋势。它也回应了越来越重视语言习得的跨语言研究，试图发现人类普遍的发展模式，而不仅仅是说某种特定语言的人。

ABSTRACT This project will investigate a number of current theoretical issues in the acquisition of language, through the detailed experimental study of the development of one module of linguistic competence, the anaphoric phenomena which are the subject of binding theory, in English and Chinese. The project will chart many important aspects of this development. The English data will be collected in the United States, and the Chinese data in Taiwan, in collaboration with colleagues there. Among the topics to be considered will be (1) the interaction between the formulation of Chomsky's "Principle B" with regard to bound variables and referential pronouns, and the child's knowledge of the principle; (2) the apparent lack of long-distance binding in the Chinese of the young child; (3) the possibility of explaining anomalous acquisition phenomena by the Subset Principle and a parameterized theory with independent parameters, on the one hand, versus a richly interrelated developmental theory on the other hand; (4) the explanation of long-distance binding via LF movement of the reflexive, and the slow development of long-distance binding; and (5) the development of non-canonical patterns such as chain-binding and binding of adjuncts. %%% The study of language acquisition by children has moved in the direction of seeking much more comprehensive and more formalized theoretical modeling, informed by developments in linguistic theory. This project reflects that trend, and furthers it. It also responds to the increasing emphasis on cross-linguistic study of language acquisition, in the attempt to discover patterns of development which are general to human beings, not just to those speaking a particular language.