Abstract
In the current experiment, we propose that adverbs may likewise confer an advantage in verb learning. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the role of adverbs in verb learning in toddlers, although Wittek (2002) demonstrated that the adverb again can support verb learning in certain contexts with 5-year-olds. To test our hypothesis, we adapted A&W’s paradigm, identifying their Sparse Content condition (in which toddlers performed at chance, showing no evidence of verb learning) as an excellent testing ground for our hypothesis. We reasoned that a manner-of-motion adverb would highlight aspects of the event, and therefore aspects of the verb’s meaning.