Linguistic theory and the L2 acquisition of dative arguments

Abstract

Verbal arguments are divided into two different types: (i) those that are true arguments of the verb; and, (ii) those that are non-core arguments in the sense that there is no evidence that they belong to the basic argument structure of the verb. Theories of argument structure are largely theories about how these additional arguments are introduced. In this dissertation, we adopt the view that in Spanish there are specialized functional heads, such as the low applicative head and the high applicative head that introduce dative arguments, i.e. non-core arguments. We investigate the second language acquisition of a wide range of dative constructions, i.e. applicative constructions, which have not been explored as a unified phenomenon previously in the literature. We compare the acquisition of Spanish as a second language by Polish and English speakers, whose languages have partially different mappings of argument structure to syntax. Since both languages differ crucially from Spanish with respect to the use of morphological markers in applicative constructions, we highlight the role played by morphology in the reanalysis of the mapping between argument structure and syntax.