Universal Grammar and Second Language Acquisition

本研究考察了日本英语学习者的从属关系习得和ECP效应。在大多数第二语言习得研究中，典型的策略是测试第二语言学习者对特定UG模块的知识，这些模块的s结构效应在他们的母语中没有观察到，而是在第二语言中观察到。通过比较有明显s结构运动和没有明显s结构运动的语言，考察了二语中下邻位和ECP的运作。虽然对于L2学习者的下邻性的ug可及性问题并没有引起激烈的争论，但过去关于L2学习者的下邻性的可及性的文献导致了相互矛盾的结论。然而，在极简方案中，s结构模块被PF和LF条件所取代，从属关系和ECP效应被最小连接条件（MLC）所解释。我进行的实验表明，尽管日本英语学习者对次邻和ECP效应表现出敏感性，但一些“假初学者”似乎违反了UG原则。然而，我们认为这种违背是表面上的，而不是真实的，并且在这些二语学习者的心理表征中，MCL并没有被违背。那些允许从“wh-island”中提取辅词的人倾向于使用多重指示结构。这支持了一种假设，即包括L1参数和功能类别在内的L1习得的最终状态构成了L2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.