Toddlers' Use of Verb Constructions in Hindi takes a
comprehensive look at the processes by which children
extract structure and meaning from the particular
language they are learning to build up a more complex
grammar. Adopting a Usage-Based approach, this work,
examines children s productivity, that is their
ability to use a new verb in a construction in which
they have never
before heard it. It does so in a highly interactive
experimental design using both novel and familiar verbs.
Children s productivity in the experimental study is
then compared with their own verb use in everyday
play contexts with their caregivers as well as the
mothers verb use to discern patterns of individual
differences in language development. The findings of
the studies reported here seem to suggest that
languages with explicit markings for agent- patient
relations facilitate an earlier onset of productivity
than word-order languages like English. Productivity
is also greater when children hear verbs used in
diverse constructions by their caregivers.
comprehensive look at the processes by which children
extract structure and meaning from the particular
language they are learning to build up a more complex
grammar. Adopting a Usage-Based approach, this work,
examines children s productivity, that is their
ability to use a new verb in a construction in which
they have never
before heard it. It does so in a highly interactive
experimental design using both novel and familiar verbs.
Children s productivity in the experimental study is
then compared with their own verb use in everyday
play contexts with their caregivers as well as the
mothers verb use to discern patterns of individual
differences in language development. The findings of
the studies reported here seem to suggest that
languages with explicit markings for agent- patient
relations facilitate an earlier onset of productivity
than word-order languages like English. Productivity
is also greater when children hear verbs used in
diverse constructions by their caregivers.