Integrating the Syntactic and Semantic Acquisition of Chinese Classifiers in Mandarin-speaking Children: A Corpus Study

This study investigates the acquisition of Chinese classifiers in Mandarin-speaking children through an in-depth quantitative analysis of over 200,000 natural utterances from the Child Language Data Exchange System database. The dataset includes interactions from 889 children aged 1 year and 2 months to 6 years, as well as their caregivers. By integrating syntactic and semantic analyses, the research reveals a dissociation between syntactic and semantic development, supporting a modular learning architecture. Syntactic acquisition develops rapidly, achieving adult-like proficiency by age 2;06. In contrast, semantic acquisition follows a protracted, U-shaped trajectory, characterized by a dynamic shift of learning strategies: initially relying on item-based rote memorization, transitioning to rule generalization accompanied by overextension errors, and undergoing gradual refinement that extends beyond the age of 6. These stages reveal a non-parallel developmental trajectory for syntactic and semantic acquisition, highlighting the complexity of mastering a rich nominal classification system like Mandarin Chinese. By integrating quantitative analysis with large-scale corpus data, we deepen our understanding of the linguistic processes underlying classifier acquisition and contribute to broader theories of language development.