Language Development

Language Development

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/humanspark/lessons/the-developing-child/video-segments/?p=476http://www.pbs.org/wnet/humanspark/lessons/the-developing-child/video-segments/?p=476

2 months • Infant begins to coo (nondescript sounds) • At 3 months can express emotions

4-6 months • Enters babbling stage • Repeats sounds • Eventually will string together the same sound, then combinations of different sounds • Intonation • Learn basic sounds of native language

1 year • First Word • Use intonation to indicate commands and questions • Show signs of understanding what is said to them • Use sound to get attention • Imitate others • Motherese or “infant-directed speech”

1 & ½ years • Vocabulary consists of one word sentences • Holophrases- used to describe their behavior, then to describe other people’s behavior • May use compound words

1 ½ - 2 years • Begin to distinguish between themselves & others • Naming objects

3 years old • Form 2 & 3 word sentences • Omit auxiliary verbs & verb endings • Use only important parts of speech to convey meaning

After 3 • Children fill in their sentences • Use past tense & Present tense • Sometimes overregularize past tense

5 or 6 years old • Vocabulary of over 2,500 words • Can construct sentences of 6-8 words • Complex sentences

B.F. Skinner’s Theory Reinforcement

Chomsky’s Theory L.A.D. (Language Acquisition Device) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cgpfw4z8cw

Pinker’s Theory • Language is an instinct or a “distinct piece of biological makeup” • Evolutionary position

Vocabulary Terms: • Intonation: rising and lowering of pitch • Motherese: slow, high pitched, exaggerated language • Holophrases: one word sentences “Up!” • Overregularize the past tense: “goed to school” • Language Acquisition Device: internal wiring • Broca’s Area: area of the brain specialized for producing speech • Critical Period: is there a time limit on learning?

Crash Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9shPouRWCs

Language Development