Pragmatics before Syntax? Evidence from U-Shaped Acquisition

This study examines the claim that structures that hinge on the interfaces between syntax and other cognitive systems (i.e. external interfaces) are more problematic for learners than those that do not depend on this interface (i.e. internal interfaces/narrow syntax) (Sorace and Filiaci, 2006; Tsimpli, Sorace, Heycok & Filiaci, 2004; Sorace 2011; inter alia). In particular, I studied the L2 acquisition o