LWPL 1.1 (September 2004)
Contributions by Jeroen van Craenenbroeck, Frank Landsbergen, Anthi Revithiadou, Lilie M. Roosman, Luis Vicente.
This regular issue of LWPL was edited by Boban Arsenijevic, Noureddine Elouazizi, Martin Salzmann, and Mark de Vos.
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Abstract
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| This paper provides a new analysis for the absence of subject clitics and agreement endings on sluiced wh-phrases. The argument is based on two premises: 1. in sluiced IPs the subject remains in its VP-internal base position and only moves to specIP at LF, and 2. the occurrence of both subject clitics and agreement endings on C° is subject to very stringent locality requirements, which fail to be met when the subject is in specVP. Supporting evidence for this analysis comes from a previously undiscussed elliptical construction in Dutch dialects which involves the polarity elements 'yes' and 'no'. |
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Abstract
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| In this paper, I introduce a simple computer simulation of a group of individuals who learn 'language' by communicating with each other. In this, I use an evolutionary account of language, which makes it possible to capture generalizations with other evolving, dynamical systems. I explore the results that different parameter settings in individuals have at the level of the population. The model is a first step in studying parallels between learned communication systems such as human language and bird song. |
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Abstract
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| Hayes (1995) claims that there is a durational asymmetry between iambic and trochaic feet grounded in an extra-linguistic principle of rhythmic grouping known as the Iambic/Trochaic Law. A theory that endorses the Iambic/Trochaic Law predicts lengthening of stressed syllables and shortening of unstressed syllables to take place in iambic feet only. This paper presents evidence that both segmental processes are attested in trochaic systems as well. An alternative to the Iambic/Trochaic Law is proposed that makes use of positional augmentation and prominence reduction constraints. The cross-linguistic bias towards uneven iambs is attributed to foot final lengthening. |
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Abstract
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| This study investigates whether speakers of a stress language can realize the stress of another stress language more faithfully than speakers of a non-stress language. Three experiments examine how well speakers of two related Indonesian languages, i.e. Toba Batak (a stress language) and (non-stress) Jakarta Malay, realize Dutch word stress. The results indicate that stress realizations of Jakarta Malay speakers are less 'Dutch' to Dutch listeners than those of Toba Batak speakers. Toba Batak speakers, as native speakers of a stress language, are at an advantage here over Jakarta Malay speakers, who do not have stress in their language. |
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Abstract
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| This paper provides an argument against a uniform characterisation of OV languages. It is claimed that in some languages OV orders are base generated in a head final VP structure, whereas in others they are the result of object movement to the left of the verb. Empirical support comes from some asymmetries between Dutch and Basque that are accommodated without trouble if these languages construct their OV orders in different ways. |
Last Modified: 03-07-2008