Returning meaning to semantic relations: some clinical applications

Two approaches for analyzing the meanings reflected in children's early word combinations are illustrated for possible application in the clinical setting. The first approach is interpretive in nature and involves detailed analysis of spontaneous speech. The second approach uses individualized probes that are designed to isolate the semantic factors involved in children's word combination patterns. Although both approaches have limitations, it is argued that each provides significantly more clinical information than assigning a child's utterances to predetermined semantic relation categories.