Wh-acquisition: A Cross-linguistic Comparison of Persian and English

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics, Department of English Language & Literature, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor in Applied Linguistics, Department of Foreign Languages, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

This research aimed to provide insights into L1 acquisition with respect to the formation of Wh-questions by a Persian and an English child. Similarities and differences concerning the variety of patterns produced (both adult-like and non-adult-like) and the frequency and emergence order of each pattern/ Wh-word were taken into consideration. For this purpose, data from an English and a Persian child were analyzed. Based on the findings, it is argued that the Persian grammar licenses a wider range of Wh-questions patterns. Besides, unlike the prevalent in-situ state of the Wh-structure in Persian, the present study indicated it to be mostly Wh-fronted in the data production of the child at the specified developmental stages. Moreover, the English child exhibited more instances of non-adult production which can be justified by the higher complexity of the structure in English, as it demands both dislocation of the Wh-word and inversion. Implications of the study are discussed.

Keywords

References

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Applied Linguistics Inquiry
Volume 1, Issue 2
September 2023
Pages 49-59

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 March 2023
  • Revise Date: 01 June 2023
  • Accept Date: 13 August 2023

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