The Holophrastic stage

Question 1

What is the holophrastic stage?
(12-18months)

Answer 1

• earliest recognisable language
• one word can convey a complete idea and large amount of meaning
• non-verbal (pitch/intonation) are important when trying to understand meaning

Question 2

Key research
NELSON

Answer 2

• first words are mostly nouns (60% of first 50 words)
• actions, modifiers, social and personal words- immediate environment
  early vocab-
  1) content words
  2) function words

Question 3

Key research
BLOOM

Answer 3

REFUTES NELSON
- ‘noun bias’- reflects the relative frequency of nouns
- nouns outnumber verbs 5:1 in most dictionaries

Question 4

Key research
SAXTON

Answer 4

• gives examples of common patterns of early words

Question 5

Key research
AITCHISON

Answer 5

At 18 months they realise every object, person, place has a word/label attached to it- ‘naming insight’
- followed by ‘naming explosion’ use new vocab to fill in the gaps in their lexical knowledge

Question 6

Why are early words often reduplicated?

Answer 6

For the ease of articulation ‘mama’
- pick this up from caregiver who has simplified the word in this way

Question 7

What are diminuitives?

Answer 7

Acquiring an unnecessary -y suffix to show some degree of relative smallness/ provide a vocally pleasing word
- more accessible
- rhythm

Question 8

Why may diminutives appear in a child’s early vocabulary?

Answer 8

• may be used by caregivers
• kitty, dolly, tummy