Noun Phrase Accessibility Hierarchy

Definition

The noun phrase accessibility hierarchy is a linguistic concept that ranks the grammatical roles of noun phrases based on their accessibility for processes like movement or pronoun reference. This hierarchy influences how different languages handle grammatical constructions, indicating that subjects are generally more accessible than objects, and direct objects are more accessible than indirect objects. Understanding this hierarchy helps clarify why certain syntactic structures are preferred or more easily formed across languages.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The hierarchy typically ranks noun phrases from most accessible to least accessible as follows: subject > direct object > indirect object > oblique argument.
2. In many languages, subject noun phrases are preferred for fronting in questions or topicalization due to their higher accessibility.
3. Cross-linguistic variations can affect how different languages interpret and utilize the noun phrase accessibility hierarchy, leading to unique syntactic constructions.
4. Languages with richer case marking may exhibit different patterns of accessibility, as the morphology can signal the role of noun phrases more clearly.
5. Understanding this hierarchy can enhance comprehension of language acquisition and processing, showing how children learn to interpret and produce language based on these patterns.

Review Questions

• How does the noun phrase accessibility hierarchy influence sentence structure across different languages?
  • The noun phrase accessibility hierarchy influences sentence structure by establishing preferences for which noun phrases can be moved or referenced in a sentence. For example, subjects are typically more accessible and thus more likely to appear at the beginning of a sentence or be fronted in questions. This hierarchical structure varies across languages, leading to distinct syntactic rules that dictate how sentences are formed based on the roles of different noun phrases.
• In what ways do cross-linguistic variations impact the application of the noun phrase accessibility hierarchy?
  • Cross-linguistic variations can significantly impact how the noun phrase accessibility hierarchy is applied in different languages. For instance, while many languages follow the general ranking of subject > direct object > indirect object, some languages may exhibit alternative structures due to unique grammatical rules or case markings. This means that understanding how various languages manipulate accessibility can reveal broader insights into syntactic theory and language use.
• Evaluate the implications of the noun phrase accessibility hierarchy on language acquisition in children.
  • The implications of the noun phrase accessibility hierarchy on language acquisition are profound, as it provides a framework for understanding how children learn to interpret and produce language. Children tend to first grasp the most accessible structures, such as subjects in sentences, before moving on to more complex constructions involving direct and indirect objects. This pattern illustrates that children's linguistic development often aligns with their growing understanding of grammatical relations and syntactic movement dictated by accessibility hierarchies.

Related terms

Grammatical Relations: The relationships between the subjects, objects, and verbs in a sentence that determine how noun phrases interact within syntactic structures.

Movement: A syntactic operation that involves the rearranging of constituents within a sentence, often to form questions or emphasize certain elements.

Pronoun Resolution: The process by which the antecedent of a pronoun is determined in a sentence, which can be influenced by the noun phrase accessibility hierarchy.