Constructing a LanguageIn this groundbreaking book, Tomasello presents a comprehensive usage-based theory of language acquisition. Drawing together a vast body of empirical research in cognitive science, linguistics, and developmental psychology, Tomasello demonstrates that we don't need a self-contained "language instinct" to explain how children learn language. Their linguistic ability is interwoven with other cognitive abilities. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 8 | |
3 Words | 43 |
4 Early Syntactic Constructions | 94 |
5 Abstract Syntactic Constructions | 144 |
6 Nominal and Clausal Constructions | 196 |
7 Complex Constructions and Discourse | 243 |
Other editions - View all
Constructing a Language: A Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition Michael Tomasello Limited preview - 2005 |
Constructing a Language: A Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition Michael Tomasello Limited preview - 2005 |
Common terms and phrases
abstract acquire acquisition action activities adult ªnding approach ªrst aspects attempt basic begin called chil child Child Language children learn clauses cognitive communicative communicative intentions complements complex constructions context developmental discourse early emerge English English-speaking evidence example experience expressions fact frame frequently function given grammar hear human important indicate infants involved kinds language learning lexical linguistic look major marking meaning natural nominals normal nouns novel object participants particular patterns percent person phrases play present Press principles problem produce pronouns proposed question reference relations relative role rules schemas semantic similar simply single situation skills social speaker speciªc speech structures symbols syntactic tense theory things tion Tomasello transitive types typically understanding universal utterances various verbs words young children
Bibliographic information
| Title | Constructing a Language |
| Author | Michael TOMASELLO |
| Edition | revised |
| Publisher | Harvard University Press, 2009 |
| ISBN | 0674044398, 9780674044395 |
| Length | 398 pages |
| Subjects | › › Language Arts & Disciplines / Linguistics / General Psychology / Cognitive Psychology & Cognition Psychology / Neuropsychology |
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