Abstract
This study examines the relationship between the functional characteristics of children's spontaneous speech and maternal-report measures of referential vocabulary at 50 and 100 words in 7 first-born middle-class children. Although evidence is found for functional differences between children which show continuity between 50 and 100 words, no relationships are found between these functional differences and corresponding measures of referential vocabulary. This suggests that the kind of differences identified in Nelson's original (1973) study may cut across rather than reflect differences in the pragmatics of children's speech, and also raises doubts about the widespread tendency to interpret variation in vocabulary composition in terms of underlying differences in language use.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
