Scott,
See my bibliography on natural language development at: http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/Bib/DevLang.htm
The work by Hunt is particularly important. If students do not
develop gerundives (participles that function as adjectives) until late middle
or high school, it is unlikely that they will cognitively master noun
absolutes. That does not mean that such phrases do not show up in any students
writing. I haven’t had as much time as I would like to devote to this
research, but it would not surprise me to see noun absolutes in the writing of
fifth or sixth graders. But it would almost certainly be in the writing of
students who are habitual readers.
It’s an interesting question, and I hope you enjoy
exploring it.
Best wishes,
Ed
From: Assembly for the
Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Scott
Woods
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2009 11:53 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Developmental phases of grammar knowledge
Dear List, I have read that some constructions do not appear in
student writing until they are at the right age. I do not recall where
I read this, but it seems to go against my experience, specifically, as I
recall, the claim that absolute phrases do not show up until students
are around 16. Has anyone else read anything like this?
Does anyone have any references for this? Is this a widespread idea? Scott Woods |
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