Ling 425/709

Morphosyntactic Analysis

Due May 5th

For the final exercise, I would like you to analyze the predicate argument structure of the utterances in Charlie’s language sample. First, divide his utterances into utterances with 1) root verbs, 2) utterances with the copula be, and 3) utterances with auxiliary verbs. For each of these groups list the utterances with subjects that are pronouns, demonstratives, full noun phrases and missing subjects. Do the same for the objects, i.e. list the utterances with objects that are pronouns, demonstratives, full noun phrases and missing subjects. Finally, list the utterances with missing verbs, copula be and auxiliary verbs. Summarize your results in tables that list the number of utterances in each category and their percent use.

709 students (and 425 students who want extra credit) should use these results to evaluate Wexler’s Agreement Tense Omission Model (Wexler 1998). The Unique Checking Constraint of this model leads to the following predictions:

      1. Children will always use overt subjects in main clauses with finite verbs.

      2. Children may omit subjects in main clauses with nonfinite verbs.

      3. Subject pronouns will have the correct case in main clauses with finite verbs.

      4. Subject pronouns may have the incorrect case in main clauses with nonfinite verbs.

      5. Children may omit the copula in main clauses in nonfinite contexts.

      6. Children may omit auxiliary verbs in main clauses in nonfinite contexts.

You should list the utterances from your sample that you used to evaluate each of these predictions. You will need to divide the utterances between those with overt tense (past and third person present), those without tense marking, and those that are ambiguous.

Wexler, K. 1998. Lingua 106.23-79