Learners of most languages are faced with the task of acquiring words to talk about number and quantity. Much is known about the order of acquisition of number words as well as the cognitive and perceptual systems and cultural practices that shape it. Substantially less is known about the acquisition of quantifiers. Here, we consider the extent to which systems and practices that support number word acquisition can be applied to quantifier acquisition and conclude that the two domains are largely distinct in this respect. Consequently, we hypothesize that the acquisition of quantifiers is constrained by a set of factors related to each quantifier's specific meaning. We investigate competence with the expressions for "all," "none," "some," "some not," and "most" in 31 languages, representing 11 language types, by testing 768 5-y-old children and 536 adults. We found a cross-linguistically similar order of acquisition of quantifiers, explicable in terms of four factors relating to their meaning and use. In addition, exploratory analyses reveal that languageand learner-specific factors, such as negative concord and gender, are significant predictors of variation.

Katsosa, N., Cumminsb, C., Ezeizabarrenac, M., Gavarród, A., Kraljeviće, J., Hrzicae, G., et al. (2016). Cross-linguistic patterns in the acquisition of quantifiers. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 113(33), 9244-9249 [10.1073/pnas.1601341113].

Cross-linguistic patterns in the acquisition of quantifiers

GUASTI, MARIA TERESA;VERNICE, MIRTA;
2016

Abstract

Learners of most languages are faced with the task of acquiring words to talk about number and quantity. Much is known about the order of acquisition of number words as well as the cognitive and perceptual systems and cultural practices that shape it. Substantially less is known about the acquisition of quantifiers. Here, we consider the extent to which systems and practices that support number word acquisition can be applied to quantifier acquisition and conclude that the two domains are largely distinct in this respect. Consequently, we hypothesize that the acquisition of quantifiers is constrained by a set of factors related to each quantifier's specific meaning. We investigate competence with the expressions for "all," "none," "some," "some not," and "most" in 31 languages, representing 11 language types, by testing 768 5-y-old children and 536 adults. We found a cross-linguistically similar order of acquisition of quantifiers, explicable in terms of four factors relating to their meaning and use. In addition, exploratory analyses reveal that languageand learner-specific factors, such as negative concord and gender, are significant predictors of variation.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Language acquisition; Pragmatics; Quantifiers; Semantics; Universals;
Language acquisition; Pragmatics; Quantifiers; Semantics; Universals; Multidisciplinary
English
2016
113
33
9244
9249
partially_open
Katsosa, N., Cumminsb, C., Ezeizabarrenac, M., Gavarród, A., Kraljeviće, J., Hrzicae, G., et al. (2016). Cross-linguistic patterns in the acquisition of quantifiers. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 113(33), 9244-9249 [10.1073/pnas.1601341113].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/134338
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