1. Antonella Sorace
Variation in anaphoric expressions in early and late bilingualism
Bilinguals from childhood and adult late bilinguals both show variability in linguistic intuitions and
behavior that appears to be (a) especially prominent at the interfaces between syntax and pragmatics
and (b) asymmetrically visible in one language but not in the other. I will illustrate these patterns of
variability with experimental data from bilinguals speaking different language combinations,
focusing in particular on the use of anaphoric expressions. I will argue that an age-sensitive subtle
interplay of linguistic constraints and specific executive functions is at the root of variation. I will
conclude that a better understanding of the interactions between language and general cognition
requires a range of sensitive experimental methods and an interdisciplinary approach to the data.