Chapter 6. Derivational morphology in Croatian child language
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Gordana Hržica
Abstract
Few studies have analysed derivation in languages other than English, including Croatian. This study shows that by the age of three years, Croatian children already use a high number of derived words, especially prefixed verbs. Both the number of acquired affixes and proportion of derived words increase with age. Verbs are mainly prefixed and nouns suffixed. The most prevalent semantic categories in nouns are objects and instruments, and derivation in verbs marks differences in aspect and/or Aktionsart. Later child speech shows productive usage of derivation, including derivational pairs and mini-paradigms, neologisms and neosemantism. The frequency of derived words in child-directed speech influences their frequency in child language. Compared to children, adults employ a broader repertoire of derivational patterns.
Abstract
Few studies have analysed derivation in languages other than English, including Croatian. This study shows that by the age of three years, Croatian children already use a high number of derived words, especially prefixed verbs. Both the number of acquired affixes and proportion of derived words increase with age. Verbs are mainly prefixed and nouns suffixed. The most prevalent semantic categories in nouns are objects and instruments, and derivation in verbs marks differences in aspect and/or Aktionsart. Later child speech shows productive usage of derivation, including derivational pairs and mini-paradigms, neologisms and neosemantism. The frequency of derived words in child-directed speech influences their frequency in child language. Compared to children, adults employ a broader repertoire of derivational patterns.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of abbreviations vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
- Chapter 2. The development of derivation in early Greek first language acquisition 21
- Chapter 3. Derivational patterns in spontaneous data of French-speaking parent-child interactions before age three 53
- Chapter 4. Emergence and early development of derivatives in Danish child language 85
- Chapter 5. Early phases of development of German derivational morphology 109
- Chapter 6. Derivational morphology in Croatian child language 141
- Chapter 7. Acquisition of derivational morphology in Russian 169
- Chapter 8. The acquisition of the Lithuanian derivational system 197
- Chapter 9. Acquisition of noun and verb derivation in Estonian 217
- Chapter 10. Derivation in Finnish child speech and child-directed speech 237
- Chapter 11. Noun and verb derivations in early Turkish child and child-directed speech 263
- Chapter 12. Conclusions 289
- Subject index 305
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of abbreviations vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
- Chapter 2. The development of derivation in early Greek first language acquisition 21
- Chapter 3. Derivational patterns in spontaneous data of French-speaking parent-child interactions before age three 53
- Chapter 4. Emergence and early development of derivatives in Danish child language 85
- Chapter 5. Early phases of development of German derivational morphology 109
- Chapter 6. Derivational morphology in Croatian child language 141
- Chapter 7. Acquisition of derivational morphology in Russian 169
- Chapter 8. The acquisition of the Lithuanian derivational system 197
- Chapter 9. Acquisition of noun and verb derivation in Estonian 217
- Chapter 10. Derivation in Finnish child speech and child-directed speech 237
- Chapter 11. Noun and verb derivations in early Turkish child and child-directed speech 263
- Chapter 12. Conclusions 289
- Subject index 305
