DIFFERENT PHRASAL PROMINENCE REALIZATIONS IN VO AND OV LANGUAGES

• DOI: 10.1418/28093
• Publication Date: 2008-01-01
• Authors: Marina Nespor; Mohinish Shukla; Ruben van de Vijver; Cinzia Avesani; Hanna Schraudolf; Caterina Donati
• Keywords: Complement; Word order; Phrase; Iambic pentameter; Realization (probability)

How do infants start learning the syntax of language they are exposed to? In this paper, we examine a plausible mechanism for acquisi- tion relative order heads and complements. We hypothesize that iambic-trochaic law determines physical realization main prominence within phonological phrases contain more than one word: if it is realized mainly through pitch intensity, in phrase stress- initial has complement-head structure, otherwise stress-final head-complement structure. show to be case both across languages (French Turkish), lan- guage (German, where orders head complement found). Our finding allows us consider psychologically acquisition complements, basic properties syntax. Because based on auditory percep- tion, can utilized before any knowledge words, thus accounting flawlessness infants' first words combinations.