Which statement best describes the innate parameter in phrase structure?

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Prepare for the English as a New Language Early to Middle Childhood National Board Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Use multiple choice questions, detailed explanations, and practice strategies to enhance your knowledge and boost your confidence for success.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the innate parameter in phrase structure?

Explanation:
Head-directionality in phrase structure—the position of the head relative to its complements. Some languages put the head before what it combines with (head-first), while others put the head after (head-last). This is treated as an innate parameter that languages differ on. English tends to be head-first. In a typical verb phrase, the verb comes before its object (eat an apple). In a prepositional phrase, the preposition comes before its object (on the table). These patterns show the head leading the phrase. Korean and Japanese tend to be head-last. The action or head often appears at the end of the clause, with its complements preceding it (the object before the verb). This V-final pattern reflects head-final structure. So the statement that English is head-first and Korean and Japanese are head-last captures this directional difference in phrase structure.

Head-directionality in phrase structure—the position of the head relative to its complements. Some languages put the head before what it combines with (head-first), while others put the head after (head-last). This is treated as an innate parameter that languages differ on.

English tends to be head-first. In a typical verb phrase, the verb comes before its object (eat an apple). In a prepositional phrase, the preposition comes before its object (on the table). These patterns show the head leading the phrase.

Korean and Japanese tend to be head-last. The action or head often appears at the end of the clause, with its complements preceding it (the object before the verb). This V-final pattern reflects head-final structure.

So the statement that English is head-first and Korean and Japanese are head-last captures this directional difference in phrase structure.

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