The second language acquisition of Irish relative clauses: The morphology/syntax interface.

Abstract

The thesis explores whether or not overt bound morphology triggers the acquisition of distinct structural representations or whether these representations are acquired independently of the morphology. Second language learners of Irish were tested to determine their level of sensitivity to distinct complementizer forms in Irish, aL which triggers lenition on the verb in the presence of a gap in the clause and aN which triggers eclipsis on the verb in the presence of a resumptive pronoun in the clause. Adult second language learners of Irish were tested using aural and written acceptability judgements tasks to determine if they had acquired a resumptive strategy according to the form of the complementizer. Results indicated that learners were not sensitive to the distinct complementizer, i.e., to the distinct mutations of the verbs. Gap structures were preferred regardless of the mutation on the verb. An emerging resumptive strategy appears to be present based on the acceptance of resumptive pronouns in the form of prepositional pronouns in the clause. It is argued that access to Universal Grammar has facilitated this development independently of the acquisition of the prescribed morphology. Results also appear to indicate that there is a generation gap between native speakers and their ability to distinguish between the aL and aN complementizers. A lack of sensitivity to the mutations appears to be present in the young bilingual speakers of Irish who grew up with both languages in the home. It is argued that increased exposure to a variety of dialects through the media as well as pressures of language contact, have had an impact.