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This research is a pilot study on the acquisition of the Japanese causative. The Japanese causative is formed by attaching the element (s)ase ("make") to a verb to create a complex verb (like, for example, "make-read"):
Maki-ga Yumi-ni sono-hon-wo yom-ase-ta.
Maki-Nom Yumi-Dat the-book-Acc read-make-past
"Maki made Yumi read the book."
Although there have been several structural arguments regarding the syntax of Japanese causatives, there is little research on the acquisition of them. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether children of varying ages can comprehend the causative. The subjects are five Japanese children living in the U.S. The ages of the subjects range from three to six, and an "act-out task" is employed. The general finding is that children do understand the causative. I will discuss the results and consider their consequences for the theory of grammar. |
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