What does the term 'overgeneralizing' refer to in language use?

The term 'overgeneralizing' in language use specifically refers to the phenomenon where a single word or label is applied too broadly to cover a wider range of meanings or objects than is appropriate. This commonly occurs during language development, especially in children, who might use a word like "dog" to describe all four-legged animals, not just those that are specifically dogs. This is part of the natural language acquisition process, as individuals simplify their understanding of the world.

Using complex vocabulary, developing new language skills, or expressing feelings through language do not capture the essence of overgeneralizing. These concepts focus on different aspects of language use and development without the specific emphasis on the inappropriate broad application of a term. The recognition of overgeneralization is important in understanding the learning processes of individuals acquiring language, especially in the context of language teaching and support for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing learners.