Forma e função no desenvolvimento fonológico: quando uma palavra é uma palavra

Abstract

In this study, in order to discuss the pairing of form and function in early language development, we present the method proposed by Vihman and McCune (1994) for the categorization of baby’s initial productions in the transition between babbling and words. Before presenting the method, we discuss the emergentist / functionalist models that guide the method proposed by the authors, namely Locke’s biological model (1993), Kent’s self-organization model (1984) and Bates and MacWhinney (1989)’s Functionalist model. After presenting the method, through the analysis of transition data from seven children, three from the city of São Paulo and four from the city of Vitória da Conquista in Bahia, we exemplify the steps for data categorization and we observe that the pairing of form and function starts at one year and seven months. Finally, we discuss inter and intradialect variability regarding the pairing of form and function in early language development.