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Ambiguity of reference and listeners' reaction in a naturalistic setting*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2008

Suus M. J. Van Hekken ,
Margretho M. Vergeer  and
Paul L. Harris
Suus M. J. Van Hekken
Affiliation:
Free University of Amsterdam
Margretho M. Vergeer
Affiliation:
Free University of Amsterdam
Paul L. Harris
Affiliation:
Free University of Amsterdam
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Abstract

The present study asked three questions. To what extent does the pre-school child use pronouns ambiguously in a naturalistic situation? Under what circumstances is such referential ambiguity likely to arise? How does the pre-school listener respond to such ambiguity? Sixteen pre-schoolers, four pairs of boys and four pairs of girls, were videotaped in a play situation. The results indicate that ambiguity of reference frequently arises, especially when disambiguation can be achieved only by verbal rather than non-verbal information. The presence of such ambiguity did not, however, influence the social responsiveness of the listener.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Child Language , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , October 1980 , pp. 555 - 563
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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