| ROA: | 967 |
| Title: | Gradual Learning and Faithfulness: Consequences of Ranked vs. Weighted Constraints |
| Authors: | Karen Jesney, Anne-Michelle Tessier |
| Comment: | Proceedings of NELS38 |
| Length: | 14 |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates a class of stages in L1 phonological acquisition where children faithfully produce marked structures only in privileged positions. We present one such stage, referred here to here as an Intermediate Faith (IF) stage, using data from the acquisition of Hebrew reported by Bat-El (2007). The privileged domain in this case is defined morphologically (noun vs. non-noun). We then show how a gradual, on-line learner using weighted constraints as in Harmonic Grammar naturally passes through IF stages, which we model as gang effects between general and specific Faithfulness constraints. Finally, we compare the performance of a ranked constraint learner to that of the HG system developed here. |
| Type: | Paper/tech report |
| Area/Keywords: | Learnability,Phonology,Language Acquisition |
| Article: | Version 1
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