Infants acquire words before concepts: A case study
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Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to prove that for a child the system of abstract concepts grows from the “material work” with the
language. Using the case study method to a particular child we prove that little children can use rather complicated abstract
words without knowing the concepts of these words. Children may use such words in proper grammar forms and correct
collocations but they can’t explain the meaning of the words or give wrong explanation. It makes us think that in language
acquisition process the language knowledge system is being developed earlier than the conceptual system of words meaning
but we must understand what language knowledge consists of in this case and what it actually is. Implications for future
research include further study of language knowledge system as having its own value independently from concept system of
knowledge.
Keywords: language acquisition, infant speech, language knowledge system, case study.
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