Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Speech Communication
First Advisor
Joan McMahon
Term of Graduation
Spring 1982
Date of Publication
5-12-1982
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech Communication: Speech and Hearing Sciences
Department
Speech Communication
Language
English
Subjects
Children -- Language
DOI
10.15760/etd.3208
Physical Description
1 online resource (4, iv, 67 pages)
Abstract
Currently language is viewed as a multi-dimensional construct, consisting of three interrelated components; content, form and function (Bloom and Lahey, 1978). In recent publications, language function has been referred to as pragmatics (Prutting, 1979). The essence of pragmatic theory is that language is used functionally in social contexts, to accomplish specific types of communication (Wood, 1981). One such communicative function is referred to as the informative function, which occurs when a speaker provides ideas and information to others, as in describing, naming and giving examples {Wood, 1981). It is not clear, however, when children become competent in making specific, clear statements when describing a referent or event. No study, found by this writer, has provided a detailed analysis of the changes that may occur in baseline descriptive strategies when children are placed under pressure to provide more information. Such data could provide additional insight into children's descriptive abilities at different stages of development.
The questions posed in this investigation were: (1) Does referential communication vary under pressure among four, six and eight year old children? and (2) How do four, six and eight year old children's descriptions vary when they are pressured to provide more information?
Rights
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/18564
Recommended Citation
Liebman, Eve Susan, "The Descriptive Function of Language: Changes with Age and Pressure to Inform" (1982). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 3217.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.3208
Comments
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