Constructivist Acquisition

Question 1

Construction acquisition

Answer 1

• More recent research by linguists such as David Crystal has focused on constructions
• Constructions are like ‘chunks’ or short phrases of language
• The constructivist approach suggests that children collect ‘chunks’ of language which they then adapt and manipulate
• Young children acquire local patterns based on their first language. As children develop, they are able to make connections in language and pelt their own understanding
• transition from Holophrastic stage to normal speech

Question 2

Usage-based model building blocks

Answer 2

• Michael Tomasello suggested that children acquire blocks on language rather than single words. They have an innate facility for pattern finding
• Once a child understands these reliable patterns they are then able to interchange the nouns
• Explains overextension and virtuous errors