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Noun phrases and coherence in child narratives*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2008

Tina Bennett-Kastor
Tina Bennett-Kastor
Affiliation:
Wichita State University
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Abstract

An analysis was undertaken to determine the grammatical and semantic means by which children achieve textual coherence, in narratives in particular and discourse in general. Twenty-one stories from twelve children aged two to five were analysed, with particular attention given to noun phrases (NPs) which were introduced and reiterated at least once in subsequent story clauses. In recognition of the agent-oriented nature of narrative and its sense of the succession of events, children introduced and reiterated primarily + animate NPs in their stories, expressing them predominantly as agents. With respect to discourse coherence in general, most reiterated NPs appeared in subject position both with introduction and subsequent mention, suggesting they were elements of focus. The given-new distinction was well preserved, too. Though at age five stories became considerably longer and denser with reiterated NPs, features of textual coherence held for all the age groups considered.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Child Language , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , February 1983 , pp. 135 - 149
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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Footnotes

[*]

The author wishes to acknowledge the support of the following: Wichita State University Research Grant No. 3643–22; the research assistant, Ms Sandra Holt; the Director of the University Cooperative Preschool, Ms Terry Chesnut; the fall 1979 Introduction to English Linguistics class; and of course all the children who told stories for us. Address for correspondence: Dept. of English, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67208.

References

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