Universal Grammar and Second Language Acquisition

本研究考察了日本学习者在英语学习过程中对相邻性和ECP效应的习得。大多数第二语言习得研究的一个典型策略是测试第二语言学习者对某些普遍语法模块的知识，这些模块的S结构效应在他们的第一语言中没有观察到，但在第二语言中观察到。通过比较有无显性S结构移位的语言，考察了邻接和ECP在二语中的运作。虽然关于母语服从邻接关系的二语学习者是否能获得非语法成分的问题没有引起激烈的争论，但以往关于母语中含有wh-成分的二语学习者是否能获得邻接关系的研究却得出了相互矛盾的结论。然而，在最简方案中，S-结构模块被PF和LF条件所取代，邻接和ECP效应被最小链接条件（MLC）所解释。我进行的实验表明，虽然日本英语学习者表现出对邻接和ECP效应的敏感性，但一些“假初学者”似乎违反了普遍语法原则。然而，研究者认为，这种违反比真实的更明显，而且在这些二语学习者的心理表征中，MCL并没有被违反。那些允许从wh-岛中提取附加成分的人倾向于使用多重限定语结构。这支持了一个假设，即第一语言习得的最终状态，包括第一语言参数和功能类别构成了第二语言习得的初始状态。

This study examines the acquisition of Subjacency and ECP effects by Japanese learners' of English. A typical strategy taken in most second language (L2) acquisition studies is to test the L2 learners' knowledge of particular UG modules whose S-Structure effects are not observed in their first language but in the L2. The operation of Subjacency and ECP in the L2 was examined by comparing languages with and without overt S-Structure movement. Although an intense controversy did not rage on the question of UG-accessibility for L2 learners whose L1s obey Subjacency, the past literature on the access to Subjacency by L2 learners whose L1s have wh-elements in situ have led to conflicting conclusions. In the Minimalist Program, however, S-Structure modules are replaced by PF and LF conditions and Subjacency and ECP effects are explained by the Minimal Link Condition (MLC). The experiment I conducted shows that although Japanese learners of English exhibit sensitivity to Subjacency and ECP effects, some 'false beginners' seem to violate UG principles. However, it is claimed that the violation is more apparent than real, and that the MCL is not violated in the mental representations of these L2 learners. Those who allow the extraction of an adjunct from a wh-island tend to use multiple-specifier constructions. This lends support to the hypothesis that the final state of L1 acquisition including L1 parameters and functional categories constitutes the initial state of L2 acquisition.