Processing intransitive verbs: how do children differ from adults?

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that, for adults, differences between unaccusative verbs (e.g., “fall”) and unergative verbs (e.g., “dance”) lead to a difference in processing. However, so far we don’t know whether this effect shows up in children’s processing of these verbs as well. This study measures children’s processing of intransitive verbs using the Visual World Paradigm. We found that children differentiate in processing between unaccusative and unergative verbs, yet in a different way than adults do. We identify and discuss potential sources for this difference.