Grammar

Question 1

Define affixation

Answer 1

Umbrella term for prefixes and suffixes

Question 2

Define virtuous errors or overgeneralisation

Answer 2

These are ‘mistakes’ children make whilst acquiring language, e.g. ‘mouses’ instead of ‘mice’

Question 3

Define spatial adjectives

Answer 3

Adjectives to do with size. These can be challenging for children. The difference between big and tall. E.g. that tree is big…

Question 4

Define clause of reason

Answer 4

Explaining why something happens. If children do this, it shows reasoning skills and greater logical thought (concrete operations stage 3 - Piaget). E.g. I sing because it’s fun; since he said sorry, I will forgive him.

Question 5

Define holophrases/operators

Answer 5

One word utterances to convey a greater meaning

Question 6

Define pivot words

Answer 6

Function words that come at the beginning of utterances. ‘More’ for example is a common pivot, e.g. ‘more drink’. Others include: other, all, no and all gone.

Question 7

Define open words

Answer 7

The words that occur with pivots are termed open words, e.g. ‘more food’ - more is the pivot word and food is the open word. These are also referred to as content words.