Functional categories and maturation : the prefunctional stage of language acquisition
The aim of this thesis is to provide a theory of language acquisition within the Principles and Parameters framework of Generative Grammar. In Chapter 1, I outline the syntactic theory I adopt which assumes that functional categories determine crosslinguistic variation in terms of parameterisation. In the model of the grammar presented, the set of functional categories is argued to constitute an independent module in the Language Faculty, the Functional Module. This is also referred to as the UG lexicon on the ground that it consists of categories that belong to the grammar proper. Substantive categories are assumed to be included in the Mental lexicon which is part of an independent module of the mind/brain. One of the underlying criteria which determine the difference between functional and substantive categories is the relation of each of these sets with conceptual entries in the mental lexicon. Both substantive and functional categories are argued to be morphologically realised at an interface level where processes of morphological affixation take place. The theoretical approach to language acquisition defended in this thesis is summarised as follows: Principles of UG (Universal Grammar) are always available
Tsimpli, Ianthi-Maria
Linguistics
Functional categories and maturation : the prefunctional stage of language acquisition. The aim of this thesis is to provide a theory of language acquisition within the Principles and Parameters framework of Generative Grammar. In Chapter 1, I outline the syntactic theory I adopt which assumes that functional categories determine crosslinguistic variation in terms of parameterisation. In the model of the grammar presented, the set of functional categories is argued to constitute an independent module in the Language Faculty, the Functional Module. This is also referred to as the UG lexicon on the ground that it consists of categories that belong to the grammar proper. Substantive categories are assumed to be included in the Mental lexicon which is part of an independent module of the mind/brain. One of the underlying criteria which determine the difference between functional and substantive categories is the relation of each of these sets with conceptual entries in the mental lexicon. Both substantive and functional categories are argued to be morphologically realised at an interface level where processes of morphological affixation take place. The theoretical approach to language acquisition defended in this thesis is summarised as follows: Principles of UG (Universal Grammar) are always available
functional_category maturation stage language_acquisition aim_provide theory language_acquisition within_principles parameters framework generative_grammar outline syntactic theory adopt assume functional_category determine crosslinguistic variation term model grammar present set functional_category argue constitute independent module language_faculty functional module also_refer lexicon ground consist category belong grammar proper substantive category assume included mental_lexicon part independent module mind_brain underlie criterion determine difference functional substantive category relation set conceptual entry mental_lexicon substantive functional_category argue morphologically realise interface level process morphological affixation take_place theoretical language_acquisition defend follow principles universal_grammar always available