In evaluating the idea that children learn language through imitation, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
A) Children are able to understand sentences they have never heard before.
B) The number of possible novel sentences is too large to ever learn by imitation and memorization alone.
C) Children are able to generate sentences they have never heard before.
D) Children rarely make overregularization errors.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Overregularization errors occur when children apply regular grammar rules to irregular words (e.g., saying "mouses" instead of "mice"). These errors are common in young children and suggest that children are not simply imitating language but actively learning and applying grammar rules. Therefore, the statement that children rarely make overregularization errors contradicts the idea that children learn language solely through imitation.

In Evaluating the Idea That Children Learn Language Through Imitation