OVEREXTENSION IN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
OVEREXTENSION IN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
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Date
2010-10
Authors
AMBROSE, MAMBO JOSIAH
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Abstract
This project is a case study of a monolingual child. The major aims of the study were to collect
data of a child whose L1 was a Nigerian indigenous minor language (Gwong), and determine
phonological and lexio – semantic features with emphasis on the use of overextension. The data were
collected using the three – media technique involving audio tape, video and diary recordings. The
analysis of data covered the first and second phases of the child’s language development (the 20th to 32nd
months).The Subject was observed to have passed through the general stages of language development,
but had no clear demarcation at each stage. The analysis of word production showed that the Subject
used more word - reduction and phoneme - substitution than word - reduplication strategies. Under lexio
– semantics, it was observed that the Subject’s vocabulary growth was not consistent and that he used
more one – word utterances all through, even at the start of his telegraphic phase. Further analysis of
data showed that the child used more nouns, followed by verbs than other categories of words. On
overextension, it was discovered that he used different types: Classic, Complexive and Same - Referent
Overextensions; the first type as the most frequent. The data showed that colour, appearance and shape
were the possible attributes that influenced the Subject’s use of the overextensions recorded. The data
further revealed that the use of overexertion was more at the two – word stage; and that the Subject’s
limitations of the appropriate words or phrases led to his use of overexertion.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Masters Degree
in English to the Department of English and Literary Studies, Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria – Nigeria.
OCTOBER 2010
Keywords
OVEREXTENSION,, LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT.