Abstract

Recent studies have reported positive evidence for adultlike syntactic categories in young children's language learning process. However, these findings contradict previous research suggesting that the categories underlying children's early multiword speech are limited in scope. This study aims to differentiate and test these models by investigating the extent to which 11 children showed overlap in the contexts in which they used different determiner types in their early multiword corpora.

References

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This study found that children's early multiword speech is characterized by limited syntactic categories, which contradict previous findings suggesting adultlike syntactic categories in young children. The results support the idea that language acquisition is a gradual process and that children's early language abilities are shaped by their cognitive development and learning environment.