Are Turkish Non-Case-Marked Objects with and without bir Interpreted and Acquired Differently?

Abstract

Whether non-case-marked objects with and without the numeral bir in Turkish have the same structural properties or not has been a topic of discussion for decades. This study aims to contribute to this discussion with experimental data that compares the comprehension of these object types along with their accusative-marked indefinite counterparts in terms of their scope with respect to negation by four-, five-, and six-year-old children as well as adults. The results suggest that both non-case-marked objects with and without bir contrast with accusative-marked indefinite objects and have a narrow scope with respect to negation in adults’ speech. However, bir can still have a main effect on the interpretation of the objects, just like the accusative case, and unlike non-case-marked objects without bir, objects with bir may scope over negation. Children treat all object types alike at age four and distinguish objects with and without bir at age five. These findings are compatible with an account that assumes different structures for two types of non-case-marked objects.