APLN 500              Language and Linguistics 

Date:______________________           Name___________________________

Answer only three of the following questions:

1.  Phrase structure rules specify how words combine in a manner compatible with the phrase structure schema.

Draw trees for the following:

S ----------> NP  VP

AP---------> (Deg)  A  (PP)

PP---------> (Deg) P (NP)

AND

Complete the following tree:  Jane is always on time

                                                            S=IP

                                NP                                        VP

2.  Tree structures help capture structural ambiguity.  Draw trees to show the two interpretations of the following sentence:

Nicole saw the people with binoculars.

3.  Examine the following exchange and explain what type of aphasia this patient displays?

I:      How are you today, Mrs. A?

P:     Yes.

I:      Have I ever tested you before?

P:     No. I mean I haven't ...

I:      Can you tell me what your name is?

P:    No. I don't.  I'm right now here.

I:    What is your address?

P:    I /k^d/ If I can help these like you know...that's my father.

Contrast the differences in behavior between fluent and nonfluent aphasics.  What could explain these differences?

4.  What are nonstandard varieties of English?  Describe distinctive features of nonstandard varieties and explain what accounts for their origin and persistence.  Give specific examples of phonological, morphological, and syntactic features of AAVE.  How does AAVE differ from Standard American English?  What does  "Don't nobody talk like that" mean in SAE?  Explain the rules governing AAVE syntax and morphology.

5.  Describe the phonological, morphological, and syntactic (word stages) development of children -- Give specific examples of early phonetic processes.  With respect to vocabulary development, explain the strategies children use for acquiring meaning.  What are some of the errors children make?  

6.  Provide a definition for Second Language Acquisition.  What is the role of the first language in acquiring a second language? Define and explain the nature of Interlanguage.  What are some common error patterns in L2 acquisition?   Describe and explain  the main components of proficiency or communicative competence in a second language.  Give specific examples from our readings and classroom discussions.

7. Explain how Markedness and the Subset Principle inform SLA research.  Give examples of how a speaker of Spanish or Italian would have to reset his/her parameters in order to acquire/learn English or French (-null subject).  Which would be more helpful to this learner in resetting parameters, positive evidence or negative evidence?  Draw a diagram and give specific examples.

8.  What makes language acquisition possible?  Explain the role of adult speech or caregiver speech.  Is corrective feedback helpful to children acquiring their L1?  What is the role of cognitive development in L1 acquisition?  Give specific examples and cite important cases that illustrate that normal linguistic development is possible only if children are exposed to language during a particular time frame. 

9.  Compare and contrast the phonological, morphological, and syntactic development between L1 and L2 acquisition.  With respect to morphology, draw tables comparing and contrasting developmental sequences for first language acquisition with those for second language acquisition, and give specific examples of the Markedness Differential Hypothesis in L2 acquisition (e.g., voicing contrasts finally for German L1 speakers acquiring English; adverb placement in English for French L1 speakers).