IULC Publications

Indirect Positive Evidence: Overturning Overgeneralizations in Language Acquisition

By Janet H. Randall

This paper proposes a new solution for overgeneralization errors in language acquisition: Indirect Positive Evidence (IPE). IPE requires: 1) a principle of the form If P then not Q and 2) data, P. The learner, recognizing P, will subtract overgeneralizations Q. Here IPE solves 'the dative problem' (how learners abandon, e.g., *Susan requested Ruth the trip), using 1) a syntactic Order Principle If X is optional it cannot precede obligatory Y and 2) data showing that for overgeneralized verbs, indirect objects are optional. Further, although to- and for-datives are shown to differ (to-phrases are arguments; for-phrases, adjuncts), IPE handles both, regardless. The IPE solution is contrasted with earlier attempts: 'reinforcement' (Bybee and Slobin; Kuczaj), 'Indirect Negative Evidence' (Chomsky) and 'Rule Conditions' (Mazurkewich and White).

42 pages
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