developmental error n
an errorin the language use of a first or second language learner which is
the result of a normal pattern of development, and which is common among
language learners. For example, in learning English, first and second language
learners often produce verb forms such as comed, goed, and breaked instead
of came, went, and broke. This is thought to be because they have learned
the rule for regular past tense formation and then apply it to all verbs. Later
such errors disappear as the learners’ language ability increases. These over-
generalizationsare a natural or developmental stage in language learning.
see also interlanguage, error analysis
developmental feature n
see multidimensional model
developmental functions of language n
according to Halliday, a young child in the early stages of language develop-
ment is able to master a number of elementary functions of language. Each
of these functions has a choice of meanings attached to it. He distinguishes
seven initial functions:
a Instrumental (“I want”): used for satisfying material needs
b Regulatory (“do as I tell you”): used for controlling the behaviour of
others
c Interactional (“me and you”): used for getting along with other
people
d Personal (“here I come”): used for identifying and expressing the self
e Heuristic (“tell me why”): used for exploring the world around and
inside one
f Imaginative (“let’s pretend”): used for creating a world of one’s own
g Informative (“I’ve got something to tell you”): used for communicating
new information.
At about 18 months, the child is beginning to master the adult’s system
of communicationn, including grammar, vocabulary and meaning com-
ponents (see functions of language^2 )
developmental interdependence hypothesis n
see threshold hypothesis
developmental psychology n
a branch of psychology which deals with the development of mental,
emotional, psychological, and social processes and behaviour in individuals,
particularly from birth to early childhood.
see also genetic epistemology
developmental error