Difference between revisions of "Parameter"
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| + | ==Definition== | ||
'''Parameter''' is a notion in the theory of [[Universal Grammar]] and [[language acquisition]]. In Universal Grammar parameters specify certain options: the [[core-grammar]] of a specific language, then, is the result of the specific setting of these parameters. | '''Parameter''' is a notion in the theory of [[Universal Grammar]] and [[language acquisition]]. In Universal Grammar parameters specify certain options: the [[core-grammar]] of a specific language, then, is the result of the specific setting of these parameters. | ||
| − | + | == Example == | |
| + | The [[Head parameter|Head Parameter]] offers a choice between [[head-first]] (chosen in [[English]]) or [[head-last]] (chosen in [[Japanese]]), which means that the head of a syntactic [[constituent]] precedes or follows its [[complement]]. Parameter theory thus provides an explanation for systematic syntactic variation between languages, and puts restrictions on the number of choices which the language learner has to make. | ||
| − | + | == Links == | |
| − | + | *[http://www2.let.uu.nl/UiL-OTS/Lexicon/zoek.pl?lemma=Parameter&lemmacode=376 Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics] | |
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| − | [http://www2.let.uu.nl/UiL-OTS/Lexicon/zoek.pl?lemma=Parameter&lemmacode=376 Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics] | ||
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| + | == References == | ||
* Chomsky, N. 1986a. ''Knowledge of language: its nature, origin and use,'' Praeger, New York. | * Chomsky, N. 1986a. ''Knowledge of language: its nature, origin and use,'' Praeger, New York. | ||
* Chomsky, N. 1981. ''Lectures on Government and Binding,'' Foris, Dordrecht. | * Chomsky, N. 1981. ''Lectures on Government and Binding,'' Foris, Dordrecht. | ||
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[[Category:Psycholinguistics]] | [[Category:Psycholinguistics]] | ||
{{dc}} | {{dc}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 18:59, 21 September 2014
Definition
Parameter is a notion in the theory of Universal Grammar and language acquisition. In Universal Grammar parameters specify certain options: the core-grammar of a specific language, then, is the result of the specific setting of these parameters.
Example
The Head Parameter offers a choice between head-first (chosen in English) or head-last (chosen in Japanese), which means that the head of a syntactic constituent precedes or follows its complement. Parameter theory thus provides an explanation for systematic syntactic variation between languages, and puts restrictions on the number of choices which the language learner has to make.
Links
References
- Chomsky, N. 1986a. Knowledge of language: its nature, origin and use, Praeger, New York.
- Chomsky, N. 1981. Lectures on Government and Binding, Foris, Dordrecht.
- Roeper, T and E. Williams (eds.) 1987. Parameter Setting, Reidel, Kluwer:Dordrecht.
