The main focus of generative language development research in recent decades has been the logical problem of language acquisition - how learners go beyond the input to acquire complex linguistic knowledge. This collection deals with the complementary issue of the developmental problem of language acquisition: How do learners move from one developmental stage to another and how and why do grammars develop in a certain fashion? Building on considerable previous research, the authors address both general and specific issues related to paths of development. These issues are tackled through considering studies of L1 and L2 children and L2 adults learning a range of languages including Dutch, English, French, German, Greek and Japanese.

Table of contents

List of contributors vii–viii

Introduction Sharon Unsworth, Teresa Parodi, Antonella Sorace and Martha Young-Scholten 1–14

The acquisition of voice and transitivity alternations in Greek as native and second language Maria-Ianthi Tsimpli 15–55

Do root infinitives ever have an overt subject in child French? Cécile De Cat 57–76

The roots of syntax and how they grow: Organic grammar, the basic variety and processability theory Anne Vainikka and Martha Young-Scholten 77–106

Neuter gender and interface vulnerability in child L2/2L1 Dutch Aafke Hulk and Leonie Cornips 107–134

The development of PATHS: Spatial complexity and the multiple predicate strategy David Stringer 135–160

More evidence on the knowledge of unaccusativity in L2 Japanese Makiko Hirakawa 161–186

What transfers? Melinda Whong-Barr 187–199

Full transfer full access: A processing-oriented interpretation Michael Sharwood Smith and John Truscott 201–216

Name index 217–219

Subject Index 221–222