How did we learn to build words like derivation and arrival, but not *derival and *arrivation? These missing forms are called paradigm gaps: we expected a pattern to apply (i.e., form a noun by adding a suffix like +al and +ation), and even though it should have, it didn’t. Gaps are a problem for generative theories of language, since these theories assume that human beings should always be able to creatively and productively form words that adhere to the rules of their language(s).

In my dissertation work, I study the properties of paradigm gaps across languages in order to understand how a language learner’s systems of classification can lead to some forms existing and others missing. Specifically, I am interested in modelling how an infant represents and processes its language input to get to the point where certain forms or classes of forms are irretrievable, uncertain, or deviant enough to be gapped.

I have worked on statistical methods to detect defectiveness in Icelandic nouns using corpus data: You can download my qualifying paper here: A method for modelling nominal defectiveness in an Icelandic corpus.

2021 | Four Year Doctoral Fellowship, UBC

2019 | Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS M), SSHRC

Supervisor

• Dr. Gunnar Ólafur Hansson

Teaching Assistantships

• 2024 LING 140 for Dr. Amanda Cardoso and Dr. James Stratton
• 2023 LING 101 for Dr. Eva Csipak
• 2023 LING 333 for Dr. Jahurul Islam
• 2022 LING 451 for Dr. Anne-Michelle Tessier
• 2020 – 2021 LING 311 for Dr. Douglas Pulleyblank
• 2020 LING 100 for Dr. Amanda Cardoso
• 2019 LING 200 for Dr. Kathleen Currie Hall

Ayala, A.L. & Hansson, G.Ó. (2021). Defining holes in Icelandic doughnuts: A model of nominal defectiveness. University of Sheffield: Feast & Famine Workshop.

Ayala, A.L. & Hansson, G.Ó. (2021). Gradient defectiveness in Icelandic noun inflection: a quantitative study. Ohio University: American International Morphology Meeting (AIMM) 5.

Nastevski, A. & Rabideau, T. (2018). Voicing contrast preservation in Ecuadorian Siona. Université du Québec à Montréal: 2nd Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal Indigenous Languages of America (TOMILLA) workshop.