week 5 - language development

holophrastic

When a single word conveys the meaning of an entire phrase or sentence. This is common in early child development, where one word can represent a full idea or request .

telegraphic

A simplified for of language typically used by young children, where only the most essential words are spoken. Smaller grammatical elements such as conjunctions are missing but meaning is still conveyed effectively.

overextension

Common phenomenon is early child language development where a child uses a word too broadly, applying it to objects or concepts that are similar but not correct. Showing how children categorize before refining vocab

underextension

When a child uses a word in a narrower way than typical. Instead of applying it to appropriate objects, it is limited to a specific instance

taxanomic assumption

Helps children to organise and interpret new vocabulary. When they hear a new word, they tend to link it to objects of the same kind( taxonomic category) rather than those that are contextually or functionally related ( theme or use)

U-shaped learning 

Pattern of language development where a child's use of a linguistic feature starts off correctly, then becomes incorrect for a period and finally returns to the correct usage

Child-Directed Speech (CDS)

Modified way of speaking that adults naturally use when talking to babies and toddlers. Featuring a higher pitch, slower pace, exaggerated intonation and simplified vocab and grammar. This style captures the child's attention and supports early language learning.

nativist

The nativist theory suggests language learning isn't entirely dependent on environment or experience, it is a natural ability hard-wired into the brain and innate, introducing the LAD

fast mapping

Cognitive process in early language development where children rapidly link a new word to its meaning after hearing it only once or twice. This is how young children can build large vocabularies quickly

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

Theoretical mental system proposed by Noam Chomsky, allowing children to rapidly learn and understand language with limited exposure by recognising patterns in speech and apply grammatical rules - part of nativist view

Mean Length of Utterance (MLU)

A measure used in language development to assess a child's linguistic maturity. Calculating average number of morphemes per utterance. It indicates more complex language use. It can track progress in grammar and sentence structure