LEXICAL-SEMANTIC POSSIBILITIES OF CHILDREN'S SPEECH: A REVIEW AND EXPLORATION OF EMERGING MEANING

Abstract

This review synthesizes research on the lexical-semantic development of children, focusing on the emergent qualities of meaning construction. It moves beyond simple vocabulary acquisition to explore how children actively shape and refine word meanings through creative use, analogy, metaphor, and interaction. We examine phenomena like overextension and underextension not as errors, but as windows into the child's developing semantic categories. Furthermore, we investigate how children combine words in novel ways to express complex ideas that go beyond the conventional meanings of the individual words. We argue that the lexical-semantic system of a child is not a miniature adult system, but a dynamic, generative space where meaning is constantly being negotiated and redefined. This review identifies key research areas where a focus on emergent meaning provides valuable insights into child language development.