Studies at the interface of child language and models of language acquisition

Abstract

This commentary on this special issue underscores the importance of experimental design, suggesting that less than optimal methodology can lead to errors on the part of children (and adults) that are sometimes interpreted as stemming from other sources, including processing limitations or problems with an ‘interface.’ Methodological remarks aside, the syntax–discourse interface stands out as problematic and the source of much debate about transfer between languages, yet to be resolved. Many of the articles in this issue make clear, however, that children’s hypotheses about language frequently fail to reflect the input and can be seen as reflecting options made available by Universal Grammar.