The acquisition of English modal constructions: a corpus-based analysis

Kimberley Bell, Silke Brandt, E V M Lieven, Anna Theakston

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Abstract

The English modal system is complex, exhibiting many-to-one, and one-to-many, form-function mappings. Usage-based approaches emphasise the role of the input in acquisition but rarely address the impact of form-function mappings on acquisition. To test whether consistent form-function mappings facilitate acquisition, we analysed two dense mother-child corpora at age 3 and 4. We examined the influence on acquisition of input features including form-function mapping frequency and the number of functions a modal signifies, using innovative methodological controls for other aspects of the input (e.g. form frequency) and child characteristics (e.g. age as a proxy for socio-cognitive development). The children were more likely to produce the frequent modals and form-function mappings of their input but modals with fewer functions in caregiver speech did not promote acquisition of these forms. Our findings support usage-based approaches to language acquisition and demonstrate the importance of applying appropriate controls when investigating relationships between input and development.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Child Language
Early online date29 May 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 29 May 2023

Keywords

  • Language acquisition
  • modal verbs
  • corpus-based methodology
  • input
  • usage-based approaches

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