Abstract
In this chapter, I would like to address the following two questions: (a) What are the principal phenomena which characterize the early development of word-usage in young children? and (b) What theoretical constructs do we need to posit in order to explain these phenomena? In an attempt to provide answers to these two questions, I will not only draw upon the findings from existing studies, but also report some further findings which are derived from observations that I have been making of the early linguistic development of my son, Adam. The chapter will be structured as follows. I will begin by describing some of the principal phenomena which characterize the early development of word-usage; in the course of this description, I will also start to introduce some of the pertinent theoretical constructs that seem to be required in order to explain these phenomena. I shall then present a summary description of the theoretical framework which is being proposed, and show how this framework can be used to explain the various patterns of developmental change which are exhibited by young children’s early lexical productions. The chapter will conclude with a brief discussion of some of the outstanding issues which require further investigation for proper elucidation.