Modeling early lexico-semantic network development: Perceptual features matter most.

ABSTRACT: What aspects of word meaning are important in early word learning and lexico-semantic network development? Adult lexico-semantic systems flexibly encode multiple types of semantic features, including functional, perceptual, taxonomic, and encyclopedic. However, various theoretical accounts of lexical development differ on whether and how these semantic properties of word meanings are initially encoded into young children's emerging lexico-semantic networks. Whereas some accounts highlight the importance of early perceptual versus conceptual properties, others posit that thematic or functional aspects of word meaning are primary relative to taxonomic knowledge. We seek to shed light on these debates with 2 modeling studies that explore patterns in early word learning using a large database

SUBMITTER: Peters R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6461380 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature