2-4 - Overextensions Flashcards
What are Overextensions?
When a child uses a word in a wider range on contexts than is used in the target language
What is the General Pattern of Word Use?
Underextensions
Overextension
Appropriate Use
What are Underextensions?
Using a word in a narrower sense than the actual meaning of the word
(Only uses “doggie” for the family dog)
Tends to be context sensitive
Do children tend to be pretty conservative learners?
Yes
Do children have a tendancy not to overextend something they are acquiring?
Yes
The child may be able to say: “cookie”, “apple”, & “banana”. The child may still only say “eat cookie” but not “eat apple” nor “eat banana”
What happened when the kid who moved to India and learned to speak Garo, moved back to California?
He would not speak Garo anymore.
He was removed from the context
Kids don’t naturally generalize
How did Piaget’s son use “bowwow” at 1;2 (34)?
To a dog, a hen, a cow-bell, cows, guinea pigs and a cat.
How did Piaget’s son use “bowwow” at 1;3 (5)?
To anything moving
From an ant to a tractor
How did Piaget’s son use “bowwow” at 1;3 (13)?
He differentated
“Moo” for cows & deer
“Kitty” for cats
Pigs were either “moo” or “kitty”
How did Laura use “ball” at 1;0(9)?
Picture of ball in book
How did Laura use “ball” at 1;0(9) - 1;4?
A ball
Round objects (orange, grapefruit, buzzer)
Request for servings of liquid in cup
How did Laura use “cookie” at 1;0(9)?
For cookies
How did Laura use “cookie” at 1;0(9) - 1;4?
Novel round foods (cheerios, cucumber)
Record players or music on hi-fi or car radio
Rocking and/or rocking chair
Ice cream
What are two kinds of Overextensions?
Categorical Overextensions
Analogical Overextensions
What are Categorical Overextensions?
Assigning a word a higher order category/semantic category
Examples:
- ‘dada’ for mother or caregiver - ‘truck’ for bus or vehicle - ‘apple’ for orange or fruit
