Language Acquisition Exam 2 Practice

What is fast mapping?

Rapidly forming an initial link between a new word and its referent after limited exposure. Gradual accumulation of vocabulary. Learning words only after many repetitions. Mapping grammar rules to sentences.

Correct Answer:

Rapidly forming an initial link between a new word and its referent after limited exposure.

Explanation:

Fast mapping is the ability to form a quick initial link between a new word and its referent after only limited exposure. In practice, a child hears a novel word in context and nearby guides, like a parent pointing or showing the object, and makes a rapid guess about what the word refers to. This initial association can be established almost after one or a few exposures, even though the full meaning, nuances, and broader usage of the word will improve with more experience. This sets it apart from slower vocabulary growth that relies on many repetitions to accumulate knowledge. It also isn’t about linking grammar rules to sentences, which is a different skill. The main idea is that fast mapping captures this quick, initial word–referent connection formed with limited input.

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