Abstract operators in early acquisition

Evidence for the presence of an abstract operator (Op) in the complementizer phrase (CP) projection of English purpose clauses is outlined, & a comparison with rationale clauses shows that the blocking of extraction from a purpose clause cannot be explained by a possible adjunct status of the latter. Findings of Vainikka (1993) are summarized, attesting the emergence of overt CP at approximate age 3:0 & the presence of purpose clauses in spontaneous production between 2:0 & 3:4. The barrierhood of Op in children's grammar is tested by a comprehension experiment in which Ss aged three, four, five, & six (N = 3, 7, 10, & 1, respectively) responded to Op & non-Op where-questions containing to-infinitive clauses. Long-distance responses were readily given to non-Op questions, even by younger Ss; whereas Op questions received short-distance responses in all but one instance. Alternative accounts of the data are considered, & it is proposed that abstract operators become available when their syntactic position is acquired. 1 Table, 2 Appendixes, 37 References. J. Hitchcock