Here is an example that supports Bill's observation that whether or not a construction appears in children's language may depend on exposure rather than on development.  Two nine-year-old girls were riding in the back of my car the other day.  One was telling the other about the time her younger brother broke his arm while playing outside.   She said, "He went up to our front door and tried to ring the doorbell, unaware that his arm was broken."

I'm told that this little girl is a big reader!



On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 10:09 AM, Spruiell, William C <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

If I remember correctly, children start being able to process passives at around the same time they start demonstrating the ability to recognize that someone is deliberately not telling the truth, which is kind of interesting.

 

With some of the more complex constructions, particularly low-frequency ones like absolutes, I think it's worth asking whether we're seeing an actual developmental effect, or (instead) simply the result of lack of exposure.  It's one thing to say we don't see students producing these, it's another to say they can't. They certainly don't hear absolute phrases much in everyday speech, and there are lots of options one can use instead of an absolute (I'm not counting the Being that… that native Michiganders seem to use a lot; I suspect it's just a periphrastic conjunction).

 

Bill Spruiell

 

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Myers, Marshall
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 9:49 AM


To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Developmental phases of grammar knowledge

 

Scott,

 

I believe passive voice is one of those constructions, too.

 

Children at 5 or below see the grammatical subject as the actor---which makes some sense considering the nature of most English syntax.

 

Marshall

 

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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