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967-0508 
Gradual Learning and Faithfulness: Consequences of Ranked vs. Weighted Constraints
Authors 
Karen Jesney University of Massachusetts Amherst <kjesney@linguist.umass.edu> [Details]
Anne-Michelle Tessier Dept. of Linguistics, University of Alberta <amtessier@ualberta.ca> [Details]
Comment 
Proceedings of NELS38
Length 
14 pp.
Files 
 PDF 1096kb
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.
Keywords 
 Harmonic Grammar, faithfulness, Noun-Faithfulness, intermediate stages, acquisition
Area 
 Learnability, Phonology, Language Acquisition
Type 
 Conference Proceedings Chapter
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