Beyond Deficiency : Reconsidering the null subject phenomenon

Abstract

This paper investigates the child null subject phenomenon in L1 acquisition within the generative framework. We consider that the traditional hypotheses, usually based on child deficiency, have their limits. We therefore propose a new analysis of this phenomenon, focusing our attention on null subjects in finite clauses. To that purpose we introduce new data recorded from 17 French children between 2;3 and 3;1 and a new approach borrowed from dialectology. Our first section forwards preliminary clarifications with regard to the null subject phenomenon, the existing hypotheses, their limits and our methodology. In the second section we detail our data and demonstrate that the child null subject stage can be accounted for in French and in other non pro-drop languages, taking a step further beyond the traditionally assumed child competence or performance deficiency.