Gradual constraint-ranking learning algorithm predicts acquisition order

We will show that the Gradual Constraint-Ranking Learning Algorithm is capable of modelling attested acquisition orders and learning curves in a realistic manner, thus bridging the gap that used to exist between formal computational learning algorithms and actual acquisition data. Levelt, Schiller, and Levelt (to appear) found that the acquisition order for syllable types for twelve children acquiring Dutch is as depicted in Figure 1.