Metonymic relations underlying the one-word utterances of Afrikaans-speaking infants and toddlers

Abstract Children’s processing and comprehension of metonymy have received little attention in the developmental literature, which has mainly focused on children’s acquisition metaphor abilities. However, it been found that production precede (Falkum et al., 2017; Nerlich 1999; Pérez-Hernández & Duvignau, 2016; Runblad Annaz, 2010). al. (1999) suggest metonymic relations are exploited overextensions produced by children up to age 2;5 call these “compelled overextensions”. At this very early age, a child’s vocabulary is still relatively small, compels them extend already known words cope with their increasing communicative needs. These are, however, most cases not random, as some type associative relation (e.g., cause – effect , object act container content etc.) between concepts referred can be identified. This study focuses 18 Afrikaans-speaking infants toddlers (between ages 0;6 2;0) overextensions. The described Norrick (1981) well Radden Kövecses employed analysis. A total 207 out 1371 one-word utterances were identified compelled 11 types could underlying utterances. illustrates such young language provide insight understanding into how they categorise associate various each other.