On the acquisition of distributivity in Yudja

Suzi Lima

doi:10.17851/2237-2083.25.3.1613-1646

On the acquisition of distributivity in Yudja

Suzi Lima

Abstract

Abstract: This paper explores the acquisition of distributivity in Yudja (Tupi, Brazil) based on a study with children and adults. In this paper, we explore experimentally the hypothesis discussed in previous work (LIMA, 2008) that verbal reduplication is a pluractional marker (LASERSOHN, 2005) that also conveys distributivity. Two preference tasks were performed with 11 adults and 17 children. Adults’ results show that the interpretation of ambiguous sentences is affected by the form of the noun phrase (conjoined nouns, pluralized nouns or bare nouns). Children’s results suggest that they have an overall preference for a distributive interpretation of sentences regardless of the verb form and the NP type.

Keywords: distributivity; Yudja; verbal reduplication; plural; bare nouns.

Resumo: Este artigo explora a aquisição da distributividade em Yudja (Tupi, Brasil) a partir de um estudo com crianças e adultos. Nesta pesquisa, exploramos experimentalmente a hipótese discutida em trabalhos anteriores (LIMA, 2007, 2008), segundo os quais reduplicação verbal é um marcador pluracional (LASERSOHN, 1995) que também expressa distributividade. Duas tarefas de preferencialidade foram feitas com 11 adultos e 17 crianças. Os resultados dos adultos sugerem que a interpretação de sentenças ambíguas é afetada pelo tipo de sintagma nominal. Os resultados das crianças sugerem uma preferência por uma leitura distributiva independentemente das propriedades do verbo e do sintagma nominal.

Palavras-chave: distributividade; Yudja; reduplicação verbal; plural; nomes nus.

Keywords

distributivity; Yudja; verbal reduplication; plural; bare nouns.

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References

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17851/2237-2083.25.3.1613-1646