Locative Concepts and expressions and Warlpiri acquisition data

<p dir="ltr">This paper examines the acquisition of locative expressions in Warlpiri, focusing on language-specific features and conceptual development in children. Data from four studies challenge the notion that children possess distinct concepts for ‘in’, ‘on’, and ‘under’, instead revealing early sensitivity to an ‘up-down’ spatial dimension. The acquisition sequence of locative terms and affixes reflects the structure of Warlpiri, with directional suffixes emerging later. Children use locative nominals and case markers flexibly, often influenced by the orientation of reference objects and placed items. Unlike findings in other languages, Warlpiri children do not rely on early deictic strategies. The study highlights the importance of cross-linguistic data in distinguishing universal principles from language-specific patterns in spatial language acquisition (AI generated abstract, Copilot)</p><h3><b>Cultural Sensitivity</b></h3><p dir="ltr">Some material in this collection may contain words, descriptions and terms, which may be culturally sensitive and that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the content was created, but may not be considered appropriate today. If you believe this material should be removed please contact the library.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>To contact the library</b></p><p dir="ltr">Contact: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/library/about/contact</p><p dir="ltr"><b>For Indigenous Australians help and support is available</b></p><p dir="ltr"><i>‍13YARN</i> is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders crisis support line. Available 24/7.</p><p dir="ltr">Contact: 1300Yarn (13 92 76) or <a href="https://www.13yarn.org.au/" target="_blank">https://www.13yarn.org.au/</a></p>