11
Rachel SchiffBar-Ilan University, Israel
Dorit RavidTel Aviv University, Israel
Rachel SchiffBar-Ilan University, Israel
Dorit RavidTel Aviv University, Israel
White elephants vs. white walls: Conflicting cues in learning to
mark plural adjectives in Hebrew
22
AimsAims
• To examine lexical and morphological development in Hebrew-speaking children from two SES backgrounds
• To examine lexical and morphological development in Hebrew-speaking children from two SES backgrounds
33
OrOr
How to produce white elephants?How to produce white elephants?
44
Noun-Adjective agreement in the Hebrew noun phraseNoun-Adjective agreement in the Hebrew noun phrase
pil lavan
elephant white
pila levana
elephant,Fm white,Fm
pil lavan
elephant white
pila levana
elephant,Fm white,Fm
Adjectives agree with nouns in gender and number
55
Noun-Adjective agreement in the Hebrew noun phraseNoun-Adjective agreement in the Hebrew noun phrase
pilim levanim
elephants white,Pl
pilot levanot
elephants,Fm white,Pl,Fm
pilim levanim
elephants white,Pl
pilot levanot
elephants,Fm white,Pl,Fm
Adjectives agree with nouns in gender and number
66
TaskTask
• Given a singular noun phrase consisting of a noun and an adjective, produce the plural noun phrase, that is, the plural noun and the plural adjective
• Oral, individual administration
• Measures: Accuracy and Latency
• Given a singular noun phrase consisting of a noun and an adjective, produce the plural noun phrase, that is, the plural noun and the plural adjective
• Oral, individual administration
• Measures: Accuracy and Latency
77
360 Participants360 Participants
• 180 children from middle-high SES
• 180 children from low SES
• 180 children from middle-high SES
• 180 children from low SES
88
SESBerliner, 2005; Chiu & McBride-Chang, 2006
SESBerliner, 2005; Chiu & McBride-Chang, 2006
• A multidimensional concept that captures family capital – Financial capital (monetary and material
resources)– Human capital (educational and cultural
resources)– Social capital (social connections linked with
career and the like) – Problem with linguistic and other input?
• A multidimensional concept that captures family capital – Financial capital (monetary and material
resources)– Human capital (educational and cultural
resources)– Social capital (social connections linked with
career and the like) – Problem with linguistic and other input?
99
Grade / Age Mid-hi SES Low SES
G1 6-7 30 30
G2 7-8 30 30
G3 8-9 30 30
G4 9-10 30 30
G5 10-11 30 30
G6 11-12 30 30
1010
First step: Noun pluralizationFirst step: Noun pluralization
• Plural suffixes on nouns follow singular noun phonology
• Plural suffixes on nouns follow singular noun phonology
1111
Noun plurals: FeminineNoun plurals: Feminine
• Nouns ending in -a or -t are feminine, and take –ot in plural
pila pilotelephant,Fm elephants,Fm
karit kariyot(throw) pillow,Fm pillows,Fm
• Nouns ending in -a or -t are feminine, and take –ot in plural
pila pilotelephant,Fm elephants,Fm
karit kariyot(throw) pillow,Fm pillows,Fm
1212
Noun plurals: MasculineNoun plurals: Masculine
• Nouns ending in consonants (other than –t) are masculine, and take –im in plural
pil pilimelephant elephants
kar karimpillow pillows
• Nouns ending in consonants (other than –t) are masculine, and take –im in plural
pil pilimelephant elephants
kar karimpillow pillows
1313
Problem # 1Irregular plural suffixes
masculine nouns
Problem # 1Irregular plural suffixes
masculine nouns
– pil pilimelephant elephants,
Masc
However
– kir kirot wall walls, Masc
– pil pilimelephant elephants,
Masc
However
– kir kirot wall walls, Masc
1414
Problem # 1Irregular plural suffixes
feminine nouns
Problem # 1Irregular plural suffixes
feminine nouns– pila pilotelephant,Fm elephants,Fm
However
– beytsa beytsimegg,Fm eggs, Fm
– pila pilotelephant,Fm elephants,Fm
However
– beytsa beytsimegg,Fm eggs, Fm
1515
Noun problem #1: Noun suffixNoun problem #1: Noun suffix
• Prediction: irregular noun plural suffixes constitute (more of) a problem for younger children, and for children from low SES
• Lexical (and morpho-phonological) knowledge
Ravid, 1995; Ravid & Schiff in press, Linguistics; Ravid et al, in press
• Prediction: irregular noun plural suffixes constitute (more of) a problem for younger children, and for children from low SES
• Lexical (and morpho-phonological) knowledge
Ravid, 1995; Ravid & Schiff in press, Linguistics; Ravid et al, in press
1616
Noun stemNoun stem
• Stems may stay unchanged when inflected
• tik tikim
bag bags
• sira sirot
boat boats
• Stems may stay unchanged when inflected
• tik tikim
bag bags
• sira sirot
boat boats
1717
Noun problem #2: Noun stemNoun problem #2: Noun stem
• But stems may also undergo change when inflected
• ish anashim
man men
• simla smalot
dress dresses
• But stems may also undergo change when inflected
• ish anashim
man men
• simla smalot
dress dresses
1818
Combine problems #1 and #2 Combine problems #1 and #2
• Changing stems with irregular suffixes
• lev levavot
heart,masc hearts
• Masculine stem with feminine suffix
• Changing stem
• Changing stems with irregular suffixes
• lev levavot
heart,masc hearts
• Masculine stem with feminine suffix
• Changing stem
1919
Task structure: 32 N-A pairsTask structure: 32 N-A pairs
8 N-A pairs
Nouns with non-changing stems and
regular suffixes
8 N-A pairs
Nouns with non-changing stems and
irregular suffixes
8 N-A pairs
Nouns with changing stems and regular
suffixes
8 N-A pairs
Nouns with changing stems and irregular
suffixes
2020
Noun plurals in development: Accuracy
Noun plurals in development: Accuracy
The role of suffix regularity and stem change
The role of suffix regularity and stem change
2121
Accuracy on noun plurals Gradeschool children from two SES
Accuracy on noun plurals Gradeschool children from two SES
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffixChanging stem, irregular suffix
Low SES High SES
2222
Accuracy on noun plurals Gradeschool children from two SES
Accuracy on noun plurals Gradeschool children from two SES
• The same factors in the same order affect acquisition
• However low SES children achieve lower scores, the difference between noun categories is larger, and the learning curve is slower
• Indicating problems in lexical representation and organization
• The same factors in the same order affect acquisition
• However low SES children achieve lower scores, the difference between noun categories is larger, and the learning curve is slower
• Indicating problems in lexical representation and organization
2323
Problem #3: Plural adjective agreement
Problem #3: Plural adjective agreement
pilim levan-?
elephants white
pilim levan-?
elephants white
2424
Problem #3: Plural adjective agreement
Problem #3: Plural adjective agreement
pilim levanim
elephants white,Pl
pilim levanim
elephants white,Pl
2525
Problem #3: Plural adjective agreement
Problem #3: Plural adjective agreement
pilot levan-?
elephants,Fm white
pilot levan-?
elephants,Fm white
2626
Problem #3: Plural adjective agreement
Problem #3: Plural adjective agreement
pilot levanot
elephants,Fm white,Pl,Fm
pilot levanot
elephants,Fm white,Pl,Fm
2727
Plural adjective agreementPlural adjective agreement
• However, when noun suffix is irregular, there is a clash between surface noun phonology and inherent noun gender
• However, when noun suffix is irregular, there is a clash between surface noun phonology and inherent noun gender
2828
Problem: Adjective agreement with irregular plural noun suffixes
Problem: Adjective agreement with irregular plural noun suffixes
kir lavan ‘white,Masc wall,Masc’
kirot levan…???walls white
kir lavan ‘white,Masc wall,Masc’
kirot levan…???walls white
2929
Agreement with irregular noun pluralsPhonology or inherent gender?
Agreement with irregular noun pluralsPhonology or inherent gender?
1. Follow plural noun phonology
kirot levanot
walls white,Pl,Fm
This is wrong!
1. Follow plural noun phonology
kirot levanot
walls white,Pl,Fm
This is wrong!
3030
Agreement with irregular noun plurals Phonology or inherent gender?
Agreement with irregular noun plurals Phonology or inherent gender?
2. Follow singular noun gender
kir lavan ‘white,Masc wall,Masc’
kirot levanimwalls white,Pl
Online processing abilities
2. Follow singular noun gender
kir lavan ‘white,Masc wall,Masc’
kirot levanimwalls white,Pl
Online processing abilities
3131
Agreement with irregular noun plurals Phonology or inherent gender?
Agreement with irregular noun plurals Phonology or inherent gender?
1. Follow plural noun phonology
beytsim levanim
eggs white,Pl
This is wrong!
1. Follow plural noun phonology
beytsim levanim
eggs white,Pl
This is wrong!
3232
Agreement with irregular noun plurals Phonology or inherent gender?
Agreement with irregular noun plurals Phonology or inherent gender?
2. Follow singular noun genderbeytsa levana ‘white,Fm egg,Fm’
beytsim levanoteggs white,Pl,Fm
Online processing abilities
2. Follow singular noun genderbeytsa levana ‘white,Fm egg,Fm’
beytsim levanoteggs white,Pl,Fm
Online processing abilities
3333
Problem #3: Plural adjective suffixas a function of suffix regularity and stem change
Problem #3: Plural adjective suffixas a function of suffix regularity and stem change
• Clash between phonology and grammar will result in less accuracy and increased reaction time in producing plural adjective agreement
• Especially in combination with changing stems
• Most for younger children, and children from low SES
• Clash between phonology and grammar will result in less accuracy and increased reaction time in producing plural adjective agreement
• Especially in combination with changing stems
• Most for younger children, and children from low SES
3434
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement
The role of noun suffix regularity and stem
change
The role of noun suffix regularity and stem
change
3535
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement
Gradeschool children from two SES
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement
Gradeschool children from two SES
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
Low SES High SES
3636
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement
Gradeschool children from two SES
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement
Gradeschool children from two SES• The same factors in the same order affect
acquisition• However low SES children achieve lower
scores, the difference between categories of noun suffixes is larger
• No progress on learning to mark adjective agreement to plural nouns with irregular suffixes
• Problems with processing grammatical information?
• The same factors in the same order affect acquisition
• However low SES children achieve lower scores, the difference between categories of noun suffixes is larger
• No progress on learning to mark adjective agreement to plural nouns with irregular suffixes
• Problems with processing grammatical information?
3737
Reaction time on forming a plural NP
Reaction time on forming a plural NP
The role of noun suffix regularity and stem
change
The role of noun suffix regularity and stem
change
3838
Gradeschool children from two SES RT on plural NP formation
Gradeschool children from two SES RT on plural NP formation
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
Low SES High SES
3939
Conclusions: AdjectivesConclusions: Adjectives
• Adjectives constitute a non-robust category in language acquisition and processing
• Inflecting adjectives to agree with plural nouns requires the ability to overcome clash between grammatical knowledge and phonological awareness
• Adjectives constitute a non-robust category in language acquisition and processing
• Inflecting adjectives to agree with plural nouns requires the ability to overcome clash between grammatical knowledge and phonological awareness
4040
Conclusions: DevelopmentConclusions: Development
• Noun plurals: Lexical and morphophonological knowledge– Suffix assignment– Stem change
• Adjective agreement: generalization, processing
A long developmental route, though inflection
• Noun plurals: Lexical and morphophonological knowledge– Suffix assignment– Stem change
• Adjective agreement: generalization, processing
A long developmental route, though inflection
4141
Conclusions: SESConclusions: SES
• Our results point to differences in language processing abilities between children from different SES
• Our results point to differences in language processing abilities between children from different SES
4242
תוספות רק אם צריךתוספות רק אם צריך
4343
Accuracy on noun pluralsDevelopmental pattern in K-adults mid-high SES
Accuracy on noun pluralsDevelopmental pattern in K-adults mid-high SES
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
K G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 Ads
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
4444
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement Developmental pattern in K-adults frommid-hi SES
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement Developmental pattern in K-adults frommid-hi SES
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
K G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 Ads
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
4545
Developmental pattern in K-adults RT on plural NP formation
Developmental pattern in K-adults RT on plural NP formation
600800
10001200140016001800200022002400
K G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 Ads
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
4646
Accuracy on noun plurals Gradeschool children,middle-hi SES
Accuracy on noun plurals Gradeschool children,middle-hi SES
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
4747
Accuracy on noun plurals Gradeschool children, low SES
Accuracy on noun plurals Gradeschool children, low SES
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffixChanging stem, irregular suffix
4848
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement Gradeschool children from middle-hi SESAccuracy on plural adjective agreement
Gradeschool children from middle-hi SES
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
4949
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement
Children from low SES
Accuracy on plural adjective agreement
Children from low SES
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
5050
Gradeschool children from middle-hi SES RT on plural NP formation
Gradeschool children from middle-hi SES RT on plural NP formation
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
5151
Gradeschool children from low SES RT on plural NP formation
Gradeschool children from low SES RT on plural NP formation
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Non-changing stem, regular suffix
Non-changing stem, irregular suffix
Changing stem, regular suffix
Changing stem, irregular suffix
5252
Gradeschool children from two SES RT on plural NP formation by suffix type
Gradeschool children from two SES RT on plural NP formation by suffix type
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
Regular Suffix High SES
Regular Suffix Low SES
Irregular Suffix High SES
Irregular Suffix Low SES
5353
Gradeschool children from two SES RT on plural NP formation
Gradeschool children from two SES RT on plural NP formation
• Mid-hi SES children: decrease in RT in all noun categories, with convergence in 5th grade
• Low SES children– Very gradual or no decrease by G3, then no
change– Changing stems with irregular suffixes –
hardly any decrease
• Mid-hi SES children: decrease in RT in all noun categories, with convergence in 5th grade
• Low SES children– Very gradual or no decrease by G3, then no
change– Changing stems with irregular suffixes –
hardly any decrease
5454
Learning to inflect noun pluralsLearning to inflect noun plurals
• Gradual increase in hi SES participants from K to adulthood – except for nonchanging stems with regular suffixes, which are at ceiling by K
• Order of difficulty: Nonchanging stems with regular suffixes > changing stems with regular suffixes > Nonchanging stems with irregular suffixes > changing stems with irregular suffixes
• Same pattern in both populations, but different pace of acquisition
• Gradual increase in hi SES participants from K to adulthood – except for nonchanging stems with regular suffixes, which are at ceiling by K
• Order of difficulty: Nonchanging stems with regular suffixes > changing stems with regular suffixes > Nonchanging stems with irregular suffixes > changing stems with irregular suffixes
• Same pattern in both populations, but different pace of acquisition
5555
Learning to mark agreement on plural adjectives
Learning to mark agreement on plural adjectives
• No difference between changing and nonchanging stems in adjectives agreeing with nouns with regular suffixes
• Better scores on nonchanging stems in in adjectives agreeing with nouns with irregular suffixes
• No apparent progress in children from low SES on adjectives agreeing with nouns with irregular suffixes
• No difference between changing and nonchanging stems in adjectives agreeing with nouns with regular suffixes
• Better scores on nonchanging stems in in adjectives agreeing with nouns with irregular suffixes
• No apparent progress in children from low SES on adjectives agreeing with nouns with irregular suffixes
5656
RT on inflecting plural N-A phrasesRT on inflecting plural N-A phrases
• Hardest / longest: adjective agreement to plural nouns with changing stems and irregular suffixes
• Easiest / shortest: adjective agreement to plural nouns with nonchanging stems and regular suffixes
• Low SES children show a mixed picture with little or no decrease in RT
• Hardest / longest: adjective agreement to plural nouns with changing stems and irregular suffixes
• Easiest / shortest: adjective agreement to plural nouns with nonchanging stems and regular suffixes
• Low SES children show a mixed picture with little or no decrease in RT
5757
ExamplesExamples
• pil lavan ‘white elephant’
pilim levanim ‘white elephants’
• pila levana ‘white elephant, Fm’
pilot levanot ‘white elephants,Fm’
• pil lavan ‘white elephant’
pilim levanim ‘white elephants’
• pila levana ‘white elephant, Fm’
pilot levanot ‘white elephants,Fm’
5858
Problem #3: Plural adjective suffixProblem #3: Plural adjective suffix
• Adjectives follow inherent noun gender• No problem when noun suffix is regular
pilim levanim
elephants white,Pl
pilot levanot
elephants,Fm white,Pl,Fm
• Adjectives follow inherent noun gender• No problem when noun suffix is regular
pilim levanim
elephants white,Pl
pilot levanot
elephants,Fm white,Pl,Fm
5959
Plural adjective agreementPlural adjective agreement
• However, when noun suffix is irregular, there is a clash between noun phonology and noun gender
• However, when noun suffix is irregular, there is a clash between noun phonology and noun gender
6060
Plural adjective agreementPlural adjective agreement
kir lavan ‘white wall,masc’
kirot levanimwalls, Masc white, Masc
Once inflected, noun phonology says Feminine, noun gender says Masculine
Problem: How to inflect adjective?
kir lavan ‘white wall,masc’
kirot levanimwalls, Masc white, Masc
Once inflected, noun phonology says Feminine, noun gender says Masculine
Problem: How to inflect adjective?
6161
Plural adjective agreementPlural adjective agreement
beytsa levana ‘white egg,fm’
beytsim levanoteggs, Fm white, Fm
When inflected, noun phonology says Masculine, noun gender says Feminine
Problem: How to inflect adjective?
beytsa levana ‘white egg,fm’
beytsim levanoteggs, Fm white, Fm
When inflected, noun phonology says Masculine, noun gender says Feminine
Problem: How to inflect adjective?
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