TY - JOUR

T1 - Gradient Competence at the Syntax-Discourse Interface

AU - Rothman, Jason

AU - Slabakova, Roumyana

AU - Kempchinsky, Paula

PY - 2011/1/31

Y1 - 2011/1/31

N2 - In this article, we present additional support of Duffield’s (2003, 2005) distinction between Underlying Competence and Surface Competence. Duffield argues that a more fine-grained distinction between levels of competence and performance is warranted and necessary. While underlying competence is categorical, surface competence is more probabilistic and gradient, being sensitive to lexical and constructional contingencies, including the contextual appropriateness of a given construction. We examine a subset of results from a study comparing native and learner competence of properties at the syntax-discourse interface. Specifically, we look at the acceptability of Clitic Right Dislocation in native and L2 Spanish, in discourse-appropriate context. We argue that Duffield’s distinction is a possible explanation of our results.

AB - In this article, we present additional support of Duffield’s (2003, 2005) distinction between Underlying Competence and Surface Competence. Duffield argues that a more fine-grained distinction between levels of competence and performance is warranted and necessary. While underlying competence is categorical, surface competence is more probabilistic and gradient, being sensitive to lexical and constructional contingencies, including the contextual appropriateness of a given construction. We examine a subset of results from a study comparing native and learner competence of properties at the syntax-discourse interface. Specifically, we look at the acceptability of Clitic Right Dislocation in native and L2 Spanish, in discourse-appropriate context. We argue that Duffield’s distinction is a possible explanation of our results.

U2 - 10.1075/eurosla.11.12rot

DO - 10.1075/eurosla.11.12rot

M3 - Journal article

VL - 11

SP - 218

EP - 243

JO - EUROSLA Yearbook

JF - EUROSLA Yearbook

SN - 1568-1491

IS - 1

ER -