74. Nanette is a preschooler who says, 'We goed to the store.' Which of the following features of language development does Nanette's utterance demonstrate?
Answer: D
Nanette's utterance demonstrates overregularization.
Nanette's use of "goed" instead of "went" reflects overregularization, which occurs when a child applies regular grammatical rules to irregular verbs. This indicates her understanding of past tense formation, albeit incorrectly.
A) Underextension
Underextension refers to the phenomenon where a child uses a word in a more limited context than is appropriate, such as using "dog" only for the family pet and not for all dogs. Nanette's example does not fit this definition, as she is applying a grammatical rule rather than limiting her vocabulary.
B) Overextension
Overextension occurs when a child applies a word too broadly to objects or actions that do not fit the definition, such as calling all four-legged animals "dog." Nanette's utterance does not illustrate this concept, as she is not mislabeling but rather misapplying a grammatical rule.
C) Telegraphic speech
Telegraphic speech is characterized by two or three-word utterances that convey simple meanings without grammatical markers, such as "want cookie" instead of "I want a cookie." Nanette’s sentence is more complex, featuring an incorrect verb form rather than a simplified expression.
D) Overregularization
Overregularization is evident in Nanette's incorrect use of the past tense verb "goed," which demonstrates her application of a regular past tense rule to an irregular verb. This highlights her developing language skills and understanding of verb conjugation, despite the mistake.
E) Fast mapping
Fast mapping refers to the ability of children to quickly learn a new word after minimal exposure. This concept does not apply to Nanette's utterance, as her focus is on verb conjugation rather than vocabulary acquisition.
Conclusion
Nanette's utterance exemplifies overregularization, showcasing her emerging grasp of grammatical rules for verb tenses. While the other options present different aspects of language development, they do not accurately reflect the specific error made in her sentence. Thus, overregularization is the definitive feature demonstrated by her use of "goed."