Problems with Pronoun Acquisition

Abstract:  Experimental studies have often shown that children have more problems with pronouns than was originally expected. One recent explanation of the discrepancy between empirical results and linguistic theory is that the Binding Theory is in need of reformulation to include only bound variable interpretations of pronominals as well as reflexives, with intended coreference relegated to the domain of pragmatics. The Dutch studies presented here explore children's sensitivity to bound variable interpretations of reflexives and pronominals by investigating their understanding of VP-deletion sentences. The results show errors with pronominals that do not support the reformulated version of the Binding Theory as a better description of children's acquisition problems. (DRAFT: non-final version!!) PROBLEMS WITH PRONOUN ACQUISITION 1. The traditional Binding Theory Knowledge of anaphora in relation to reflexives and pronominals is traditionally summed up in two of the principles of the Bindin...