CLA Holophrastic Stage

Question 1

What age does the Holophrastic stage occur?

Answer 1

12 - 18 months

Question 2

Describe the Holophrastic stage.

Answer 2

The earliest recognisable language
One word can convey a larger meaning
Non verbal cues are important to understanding meaning

Question 3

What nonverbal clues from a child could help a caregiver establish meaning?

Answer 3

Intonation
Pitch
Hand gestures
Rhythm
Context
Emphasis
Volume
Facial expressions
Cries

Question 4

Katherine Nelson (1973)

Answer 4

First words are mostly nouns (60% of first 50 words)
Content words (verbs, adjectives, nouns etc.) come before function words (determiners, prepositions etc.)

Question 5

Bloom (2004)

Answer 5

Noun bias in early vocabulary reflects noun frequency in general vocabulary (5:1)

Question 6

Saxton (2010)

Answer 6

Gave examples of common patterns in children early words (up to 18 months)
Family
Clothing
Body parts
Actions
Routines and games

Question 7

Why are words often reduplicated in a child’s early words e.g. botbot for bottle?

Answer 7

For ease of articulation and accessibility and a simplified word

Question 8

What are diminutives and why are they used?

Answer 8

The process of adding a suffix (usually the -y ending) that is used informally to create a new name e.g. dolly, blankey.
Provides a vocally pleasing word and creates a rhythmic pattern which is easier to pick up