Acquisition of #sC clusters: universal grammar vs. language-specific grammar

Authors

  • Mehmet Yavas Florida International University

Keywords:

Acquisition of #sC clusters, Universal grammar, Language-specific grammar

Abstract

 

This study is a cross-linguistic examination of the patterns of acquisition of two-member /s/-clusters. Data from six languages (English, Dutch, Norwegian, Croatian, Hebrew, and Polish) gathered from the productions of typically developing children and from children with phonological disorders are analyzed. Correct renditions in the productions showed correlation with the change of C2 from [-continuant] to [+continuant] of the target clusters in Germanic languages, while there was no such correlation in the other languages. The differences in the two groups of languages give support to the specific-language grammar hypothesis which states that children acquire language based on the patterns in the input language, which drive children’s acquisition of phonology; the input triggers the default settings to be set or reset.

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How to Cite

Yavas, M. (2013). Acquisition of #sC clusters: universal grammar vs. language-specific grammar. Letras De Hoje, 48(3), 355–361. Retrieved from https://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/index.php/fale/article/view/14996

Issue

Vol. 48 No. 3 (2013): Topics in Mother (L1) and Second (L2) Language Acquisition

Section

Part 2 – Empirical Research of Mother Language Acquisition: Literacy and Writing

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