El parámetro pro-drop y la adquisición del inglés como segunda lengua

Resumen

In this paper the behaviour of the different properties related to the pro-drop parameter have been analyzed : (1) null subjects, (2) expletive pronouns, (3) The inflectional system, (4) free subject-verb inversion and (5) that-trace effect. Native speakers of Spanish learning English were tested to see how they activate the pro-drop parameter in second language acquisition. It was found that Spanish speakers carry over the parameter from the first to the second language, until some aspects of the auxiliary system make them readjust the parameter to the value of the L2. It was also proposed that two of the characteristics traditionally associated with the parameter, free subject-verb inversion and the that-trace effect come from different movement rules and are, therefore, not part of the pro-drop parameter