Abstract
This research examined the acquisition of human/animal numerical classifier categories in preschool children. In Experiment 1, using an error detection paradigm, we examined the developmental change of the knowledge 150 children possessed about classifiers. Overall, even the youngest group of children (early 4-year-olds) were aware of the grammatical function of classifiers, but they did not know the semantic criteria for each classifier category until around their late 5 years of age. Experiment 2 examined 60 4- and 5-year-olds who had not shown the sensitivity for the semantic rule dividing the hiki (small animal) category and the tou (large animal) category. The results showed that the 5-year-olds only, could spontaneously generate the correct rule and apply it to new items only through hearing adults' use of classifiers. Based on such results, the interplay between the linguistic input, grammar and extra-linguistic cognitive categories in acquisition of classifiers was discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 126-135 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Japanese Journal of Educational Psychology |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1996 |
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Keywords
- Error detection paradigm
- Interplay between the linguistic input and cognitive categories
- Numerical classifier
- Preschool children
- Semantic rule
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
Cite this
A study on the acquisition of numerical classifiers among young children : The development of human/animal categories and generation of the rule of classifiers applying. / Uchida, Nobuko; Imai, Mutsumi.
In: Japanese Journal of Educational Psychology, Vol. 44, No. 2, 1996, p. 126-135.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - A study on the acquisition of numerical classifiers among young children
T2 - The development of human/animal categories and generation of the rule of classifiers applying
AU - Uchida, Nobuko
AU - Imai, Mutsumi
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - This research examined the acquisition of human/animal numerical classifier categories in preschool children. In Experiment 1, using an error detection paradigm, we examined the developmental change of the knowledge 150 children possessed about classifiers. Overall, even the youngest group of children (early 4-year-olds) were aware of the grammatical function of classifiers, but they did not know the semantic criteria for each classifier category until around their late 5 years of age. Experiment 2 examined 60 4- and 5-year-olds who had not shown the sensitivity for the semantic rule dividing the hiki (small animal) category and the tou (large animal) category. The results showed that the 5-year-olds only, could spontaneously generate the correct rule and apply it to new items only through hearing adults' use of classifiers. Based on such results, the interplay between the linguistic input, grammar and extra-linguistic cognitive categories in acquisition of classifiers was discussed.
AB - This research examined the acquisition of human/animal numerical classifier categories in preschool children. In Experiment 1, using an error detection paradigm, we examined the developmental change of the knowledge 150 children possessed about classifiers. Overall, even the youngest group of children (early 4-year-olds) were aware of the grammatical function of classifiers, but they did not know the semantic criteria for each classifier category until around their late 5 years of age. Experiment 2 examined 60 4- and 5-year-olds who had not shown the sensitivity for the semantic rule dividing the hiki (small animal) category and the tou (large animal) category. The results showed that the 5-year-olds only, could spontaneously generate the correct rule and apply it to new items only through hearing adults' use of classifiers. Based on such results, the interplay between the linguistic input, grammar and extra-linguistic cognitive categories in acquisition of classifiers was discussed.
KW - Error detection paradigm
KW - Interplay between the linguistic input and cognitive categories
KW - Numerical classifier
KW - Preschool children
KW - Semantic rule
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0030505730&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 44
SP - 126
EP - 135
JO - Japanese Journal of Educational Psychology
JF - Japanese Journal of Educational Psychology
SN - 0021-5015
IS - 2
ER -