"Sneak-shoes," "Sworders," and "Nose-beards": A Case Study of Lexical Innovation
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1994
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177%2F014272379401404104
Abstract
Children often invent new words to express meanings for which they have learned no words or cannot recall conventional words. They do not do so randomly, but appear to utilize their knowledge of word-formation devices. The present study investigated the development of spontaneous lexical innovations during the preschool years. Instances of lexical innovations were identified in transcripts of 210 naturalistic conversations between an American English-speaking boy (2;4 through 5;0) and his parents. The boy's innovations generally support and extend Clark's findings regarding categories of innovations and provide some support for her developmental predictions based on the principle of simplicity. Many usages seem to be based on common, productive word-formation devices in English, particularly compounding, whereas others appear to be based on novel rules and language play. Various influences on the development of lexical innovation are discussed.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
First Language, v. 14, issue 41, p. 195-211
Scholar Commons Citation
Becker, Judith A., ""Sneak-shoes," "Sworders," and "Nose-beards": A Case Study of Lexical Innovation" (1994). Psychology Faculty Publications. 1223.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/1223
