3V0822.1

3V0822.01 Why did it?” (4/23/80) I changed a soggy diaper and dropped it into the diaper pail. Peggy said very seriously, “Why did it ? Why put diaper in there ?” Gretchen

3V0821.1

3V0821.01 Varying “why?” : [why to distraction] (4/22/80) Talking to Peggy about something…. She replied “Why not?” [a valid question in the context, and the first time I heard her use it. She has been saying “why” to distraction lately.] Gretchen

3V0820.2

3V0820.02 Past form (4/21/80) Peggy very clearly said, ” I wanted grape, like this.” When we discussed my earlier mistake in getting her milk instead of orange juice.

3V0820.1

3V0820.01 Pronouns (4/21/80) “I spilled stuff in my dress. It’s juice.”

3V0819.3

3V0819.03 “I believe it” (4/20/80) Miriam noted Peggy’s comment about something she had said.

3V0819.2

3V0819.02 She-teddy (4/20/80) Gender is not a forward distinction for Peggy yet. She played with her Teddy bear, saying, “Teddy tired…(lays it down)… He’s a good girl.”

3V0819.1

3V0819.01 Progressive Verbs (4/20/80) Peggy has used present participles as progressive verb forms in a descriptive mode (as on last page). In two incidents, the context makes clear her richer semantic framework served by those forms. Yesterday I sat on the front stoop. Peggy came up the path and before reaching the stairs said to …

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3V0818.1

3V0818.01 Directed speech (cf. 4/5) (4/19/80) Peggy inherited from Miriam a large number of small Fischer-Price “people” and toy animals. Today Peggy played with the toys in my hearing. Walking them down the piano, Peggy gave directions to the toys, as people — and language addressable creatures, about where to walk and what to say …

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3V0817.1

3V0817.01 No function words (4/18/80) Peggy and I walked down the drive way toward the house. She held her “Bear Hug” by its arm. Holding the bear at ground level and bouncing it, she said, “Bear walking me.” Playing inside with an ovoid on four wheels, painted as a lady-bug, Peggy remarked, “Playing Lady Bug.” …

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3V0813.1

3V0813.01 Why because! (4/14/80) Peggy has been driving us crazy with her “why?” queries (I am much more aware of this than I was with the two earlier children). Her use of the question is at least twofold (see also 4/12/80 entry), as conversation continuer and as argument. By continuer, I mean Peggy uses “why” …

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3V0811.6

3V0811.06 Birds (4/12/80) Miriam made a cardinal “Make it bake-it.” years ago; it hangs from the center of our dining-room window and is frequently remarked upon by Peggy. Since the birds have returned this spring, she has more to discuss at table. Climbing in a chair by the window shoe noted, “See more birdie…Right there…He’s …

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3V0811.5

3V0811.05 Multiple farewells (4/12/80) I was taking a bath and Peggy was in the room. She turned and went out, saying. “I’m going to see Mimi.” G: OK. P: “Bye-bye.” G: Bye, Peggy P: See you later, Mommy. G: See you later, Peg. Gretchen

3V0811.4

3V0811.04 Surprising syngnosticity (4/12/80) Peggy’s toy elephant she names “Arroot.” Miriam received as a birthday present a pig hand-puppet which Peggy very much admires. She asked the name and Miriam called it “Alfred,” since which Peggy has been chasing and pestering her for “My arroot.” The resolution a half hour later: Peggy came in the …

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3V0811.3

3V0811.03 Correction (4/12/80) With my cast, I received a small boot to protect the plaster from the weather. I’ve told Peggy this is my “bootie.” I just sent her out to get her face and hands washed (she is very sticky after Miriam’s birthday party.) As she passed my foot, she leaned on my foot …

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3V0811.2

3V0811.02 ‘That’s what’ — a microscript (4/12/80) Peggy’s “Why?” question — which has come to follow our every utterance to her — has become quite annoying. Sometimes we ignore her question, treating it as an annoyance. Other reactions of ours, similar in kind, are “because I told you to” or in truncated form “because…” Outside, …

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3V0811.1

3V0811.01 Peggy writing ‘Daddy Lawler’ (4/12/80) I came home from Cambridge last night with a cast on my leg. Robby and Miriam both put their decorations on them. Peggy, this morning took a blue pen somehow indicating she wanted to write on the cast. When I asked what she would write, Peggy said, “Daddy Lawler.” …

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3V0809.1

3V0809.01 Letters and words: [QNA = “Peggy Lawler”] (4/10/80) Peggy played on the floor with her magnetic desk. On the surface, grouped together she put the letters, Q, N, and A.” She got my attention, pointing to the three “Who’s that, Daddy?” I answered that I didn’t know. She informed me, “Peggy Lawler.” Picking up …

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3V0805.2

3V0805.02 Aspect: [ I get the socks… I got one.] Sitting on the back steps on a really nice day, Peggy’s socks were on the ground. I told her we should put on her shoes and socks so she could run around outside. Beginning to climb down, she remarked, “I get the socks… I got …

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3V0805.1

3V0805.01 Language as formulating experience (Eavesdropping) (4/6/80) Peggy wakes early. As I brought some morning coffee to Gretchen, I heard Peggy talking in the crib (through the wall) “Look at the spider, swinging…swinging…” Why is this significant ? Language as formulation of experience, expressing the flow of understanding without communicative intention; fluency as delineating the …

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3V0804.1

3V0804.01 Directed speech (4/5/80) I consider the appearance of this phenomenon one of the most striking evidences of the elevation of control. Several days ago, Peggy approached me with her favorite toy, “Bear Hug.” She said to me, “Say ‘Hi bear’.” I did as she asked. This was repeated a few times, with Scurry as …

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3V0803.1

3V0803.01 Agent, patient, and word order: [Peggy hurt — ] (4/4/80 or earlier) Miriam sat by the stove, reviewing her multiplication flash cards. Peggy, Mad at her for some reasons, hit at Miriam and hurt herself by striking the flash cards. She cried, “Mimi hurt Peggy !” Miriam corrected her, “No. You did it yourself. …

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3V0799.3

3V0799.03 Wanting present mommy (3/31/80) Driving back from cub scouts after dropping Robby off — Peggy yawned. I said, “Tired?” P: Yes. G: Maybe that’s because you didn’t have a nap today. P: (loudly) I want Mommy…I want Mommy.” G: You have a Mommy, right here. P: (flat) Oh. G: (I chuckled) P: That funny …

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3V0799.2

3V0799.02 Unfamiliar phrase reaction (3/31/80) G: “Sit down, Peggy, so I can tie your bloody shoe!” P: “Bloody shoe. What you mean?” [/whuht/choe/min/] Gretchen

3V0798.1

3V0798.01 Relation of heard imperative and reconstructed declarative (3/30/80) Peggy to me: “Mommy, be quiet… be quiet.” [I am not talking at the time.] I reply, “I am.” Peggy: “I am quiet…I am quiet.” (accent more on quiet than on “am”) Gretchen

3V0797.2

3V0797.02 The Scottie in Madeline: [that scurry. that name scurry.] (3/29/80) Reading again Peggy’s early favorite, we came to a page where a figure in the background walks a black Scotty. Peggy asked, “Who’s that who, Daddy?” Confused, I asked, “Who’s what?” She pointed, “That Scurry. That name Scurry.”

3V0797.1

3V0797.01 Expression of temporal order (3/29/80) At breakfast (possibly lunch) Peggy posed a specific but unsuccessful demand, “want juice for cup.” (this cup has a frog sitting on the bottom; it is revealed when the cup is half emptied.) I brought her the cup, but it contained milk requested earlier, “Drink the milk, Peggy.” She …

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3V0795.2

3V0795.02 Standard sentence [I want baby diapers (paper ones)] (3/27/80) no further text. Gretchen

3V0795.1

3V0795.01 Non-standard sentence [me out go side] (3/27/80 As I was going back and forth hauling wood inside — Peggy said “Me out go side.” Gretchen

3V0794.1

3V0794.01 Birdies (3/26/80) “Birdie… Saw birdie… in a tree.” confer 3/30/80 [birdie fall out of tree] Gretchen

3V0792.1

3V0792.01 Context appropriate verbal accompaniment: remembered rhyme (3/24/80) Sitting with Peggy on my lap, I became aware that she was babbling to herself. As I listened, I realized she was reciting an appropriate jingle… something like “Go horsie… go town… take-a Peggy…all fall in.” Gretchen

3V0791.3

3V0791.03 Amplification, apparently temporal (3/23/80) “Me want it. Me want it now.” Gretchen

3V0791.2

3V0791.02 Book all words (3/21/80) Sometimes Peggy tries to claim one of my books that I am reading as hers. Then I tell her, no, it’s my book, and look, there are lots of words but no pictures. Today, Peggy picked up an adult book, leafed through it, and remarked, “Book all words.” Gretchen

3V0791.1

3V0791.01 Peggy’s now is when? (3/23/80) Peggy pointed a phonics dictionary and said, “Mimi’s.” I replied that yes, I thought it was. Peggy continued, “Mimi’s, // is Peggy’s now.”

3V0790.1

3V0790.01 Name: [Daddy name Bob] (3/22/80) Pointing to her father working at his desk, Peggy said, “That Daddy.” G: Yes P: Daddy name Bob.” Gretchen.

3V0789.3

3V0789.03 Word order variations ( — loves — ) (3/21/80) Bob questioning Peggy… B: Daddy loves Peggy? P: Yes B: Mimi loves Peggy ? P. Yes. B; Mommy loves Peggy. P: Yes B: Anyone else ? [looking for mention of Robby…] P: Peggy loves Peggy. More questions… Peggy love bear ? P: Yes B: Bear …

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3V0789.1

3V0789.01 Peggy Lawler again (3/21/80) A later, outstanding example of this interpretation by Peggy occurred as I read “The Fox” (by Peter Spier) to her. Peggy asked, “Who’s that?” pointing to words at the bottom of the cover saying “Illustrations drawn by Peter Spier.” She answered herself, “letters,” pointing to the first words of the …

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3V0788.2

3V0788.02 Peggy love bear — any way will do (3/20/80) So Peggy began a conversation. I repeated, “Peggy love bear?” . P: Right , she replied.. B. “Bear love Peggy, ” I continued. P. “Right.” (again). B. Finally “Love Bear Peggy ?” I asked . P: “OK, ” agreed Peggy.

3V0788.1

3V0788.01 Knock-knock again (3/20/80) This morning Peggy said to me suddenly: P: Knock knock G; who’s there ? P: Tim-mer. G: Timber ? Timber who ? P: (giggled and shrugged). She repeated this conversation several times. Gretchen

3V0787.1

3V0787.01 Knock-knock variations (3/19/80) Sitting with Peggy and Miriam after dinner. somehow the phrase knock knock came up.. M&P: Knock knock M: knock knock P: Who’s there ? M. Tim P: Tim who ? (the first time I heard her make the appropriate response at this point) M. Timber ! – a second go: M. …

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3V0785.4

3V0785.04 Me dumb dog — a joke by Peggy (3/17/80) Gretchen was getting Robby from scouts. I was in bed early. Miriam put Peggy in her crib because she would not watch TV with her. Peggy was most unhappy. I rose from bed, rescued her, and we crawled under the covers together. After a little …

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3V0785.3

3V0785.03 Letters in cards (3/17/80) The “school desk” set I gave Peggy in P112 (or P111) has card board cards as part. These cards have cut outs for letter insertion for the letters in the names of objects printed on them. Peggy has been fitting letters into those slots. 3/22/80 Peggy has been fitting the …

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3V0785.2

3V0785.02 Girl go in moto-cycle (3/17/80) This refers to the Fisher Price doll in a motor cycle.)

3V0781.1

3V0781.01 “Peggy Lawler” – what symbols mean to her (3/13/80) Ever since Miriam’s gift of the Grover Book (wherein she wrote PEGGY LAWLER on the inside cover to show ownership), Peggy has interpreted any group of letters as meaning “Peggy Lawler.” She distinguishes (more or less) between four things: letters, seen as individuals; pictures in …

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3V0780.3

3V0780.03 Shoe Daddy off: clear example of non-standard syntax (3/12/80) Peggy said this as I removed my shoes. It is perfectly clear she was describing what I did and it is also clear what she meant, “Daddy is taking off his shoe.” the syntax appears quite non-standard.

3V0780.2

3V0780.02 Inquiry: first normal interrogative [where’s Cat a Hat ?] (3/12/80) Peggy: “Read ‘Cat a Hat.’… Where’s Cat a Hat’?” The first time I’ve heard her use the normal interrogative instead of “XX is where ?” She has also begun to say “Why?” all the time. Gretchen.

3V0780.1

3V0780.01 Conversation at dinner: multiple “thanks” (3/12/80) Peggy dropped her fork and Robby retrieved it. P: Robby get fork.” G: Yes, Robby got the fork for you. Peggy, you should say ‘thank you.’ P. Thank oo. R: You’re welcome. P. /dats./ [Thanks, idiosyncratic] R. You’re welcome. Gretchen.

3V0776.2

3V0776.02 An inference (3/8/80) Peggy ran from the dining room to me in the living room. Holding out her hand to me (I responded to take whatever it might be), Peggy dropped coins in my hand. She said, ‘Money on table. Somebody left it.’ Not only is this a two-sentence speech act, it also exhibits …

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3V0775.3

3V0775.03 Who’s that? — syngnostic use (3/7780) Peggy does not distinguish Who and What. consequently, when requesting the name of an object she asks, ‘Who’s that?’ Today she held up a toy, plastic doll and asked “Who’s that?” “You mean your dolly?’ I responded. She then became more specific, pointing with her finger on the …

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3V0775.2

3V0775.02 Repetition and further specification (3/7/80) Gretchen mentioned hearing Peggy do a most interesting thing : she first said, ‘ Lookit table.’ then immediately ‘repeated’ the phrase more precisely as ‘Look at the table.’ This is an example of the incremental standardization of speech production under her own direction (this may be well compared to …

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3V0774.1

3V0774.01 Jokes as communication protocols (3/6/80) Miriam has been telling (surely in Peggy’s hearing) a knock-knock : M : Knock knock. V : Who’s there ? M : Tim. V : Tim who ? M : Tim – ber ! At supper this evening, Peggy said : P : knock knock. B : Who’s there …

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