at a zero-to-eighteen-month level of a typical development (article use)

[Alexey86]

If your child or client is functioning within level one of the VB-MAPP (The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program),
that would be equivalent to functioning at a zero-to-eighteen-month level of a typical development.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRXLQ4MWnnQ (1.14 - 1.27)

Why was a used? There is only one 0 to 18 month development level and one kind of typical development. I mean development can be either typical or atypical, it's a binary opposition. Of course, there might be variations in development, but every one of them would fall into one or the other kind, wouldn't they?

I'm also not sure how to write the level's name correctly:
a zero to eighteen month level
a zero-to-eighteen-month level
a 0-18 month level
a 0-to-18 month level
a 0 to 18 month level

[emsr2d2]

The word "level" is a countable noun so it requires an article.

In my opinion, the indefinite article before "typical development" should not be there.

There's a word missing after "functioning" in the opening part.

[Alexey86]

The word "level" is a countable noun so it requires an article.

The question is whether it should be a or the.

In my opinion, the indefinite article before "typical development" should not be there.

Does this mean that you would use the?

There's a word missing after "functioning" in the opening part.

Thank you! I've added is, but it's before "functioning".

[emsr2d2]

The question is whether it should be a or the.

It should be "a". In contexts like this, we say things like "You should be working at a level commensurate with your experience". I can't make a great argument against "the" but a grammarian might be able to.

Does this mean that you would use the?

No. "typical development" is uncountable so there shouldn't be an article at all.

Thank you! I've added is, but it's before "functioning".

Thanks. I wasn't sure if it was your typo or a mistake in the original.

[Alexey86]

It should be "a". In contexts like this, we say things like "You should be working at a level commensurate with your experience". I can't make a great argument against "the" but a grammarian might be able to.

I would also use a in your example because "commensurate with your experience" is not actually the name of the level, it's just your personal description. But suppose there were an area of studies classifying levels people work at and defining one of them as commensurate with experience. Now that the level is a part of the classification scheme, would you use the (the commensurate with experience level)?

No. "typical development" is uncountable so there shouldn't be an article at all.

Maybe she didn't say a, and I just misheard her. But the wouldn't make development countable, just definite.

[jutfrank]

Hold on—am I the only one who thinks she does not say a before typical development. She stutters but I don't think she actually utters an article there.

[jutfrank]

I mean development can be either typical or atypical, it's a binary opposition. Of course, there might be variations in development, but every one of them would fall into one or the other kind, wouldn't they?

Yes but if she did say a, that wouldn't necessarily imply different types of development. There could be other reasons for using the article.

Anyway, I don't think that's worth discussing since I'm not convinced she actually says it.

[GoesStation]

Hold on—am I the only one who thinks she does not say a before typical development. She stutters but I don't think she actually utters an article there.

I don't think that's worth discussing since I'm not convinced she actually says it.

It's worth consulting primary sources! I hadn't looked at the video. I'm not just not convinced she said "a typical development"; I don't hear even a hint of the indefinite article. She doesn't say it.

[emsr2d2]

In all honesty, I hadn't watched the video either. She makes a slight sound, possibly she's swallowing or just breathing, before "typical development" but she doesn't say "a" (so the subtitles are wrong).

[Alexey86]

Anyway, I don't think that's worth discussing since I'm not convinced she actually says it.

I've listened to her one more time. She doesn't really say a, just takes a little pause. I was mislead by the subtitles.

What about a vs the before zero to eighteen month level?