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Intro to Linguistics
Table of Contents
Unit 8 Overview: Language Acquisition in Linguistics
8.1 Theories of first language acquisition
8.2 Stages of language development
8.3 Second language acquisition and bilingualism

Children's language development is a fascinating journey. From birth to age 3, they progress through stages like prelinguistic, one-word, and multi-word. Each stage brings new skills, from crying and cooing to forming complex sentences.

Language milestones vary, but general age ranges exist. The prelinguistic stage spans 0-12 months, one-word 12-18 months, and multi-word 24+ months. Individual factors like genetics, environment, and cognition influence this timeline.

Early Language Development

Stages of child language development

  • Prelinguistic stage marks initial communication development
    • Crying communicates basic needs and discomfort (hunger, pain)
    • Cooing produces vowel-like sounds expressing contentment
    • Babbling combines consonants and vowels (ba-ba, ma-ma)
  • One-word stage introduces first meaningful words
    • Holophrases use single words to express complex ideas ("milk" for "I want milk")
  • Two-word stage combines words for basic phrases
    • Telegraphic speech omits function words ("Daddy go" for "Daddy is going")
  • Multi-word stage develops more sophisticated language use
    • Simple sentences form basic subject-verb-object structures ("I want cookie")
    • Complex sentences incorporate subordinate clauses ("I cry when I'm sad")

Age ranges for language milestones

  • Prelinguistic stage spans 0-12 months
    • Crying predominates 0-2 months
    • Cooing emerges 2-4 months
    • Babbling develops 6-12 months
  • One-word stage occurs 12-18 months
  • Two-word stage manifests 18-24 months
  • Multi-word stage begins 24+ months
    • Simple sentences form 2-3 years
    • Complex sentences develop 3+ years

Language Development Features and Variability

Linguistic features of developmental stages

  • Prelinguistic stage builds foundational communication skills
    • Non-verbal communication utilizes gestures and facial expressions
    • Intonation patterns convey emotion and intent
    • Phoneme production practices speech sounds (consonants, vowels)
  • One-word stage expands linguistic repertoire
    • Vocabulary expansion adds new words rapidly
    • Word-object associations link words to real-world referents
    • Overextension applies words too broadly ("dog" for all animals)
  • Two-word stage introduces basic grammar
    • Basic syntax combines words meaningfully
    • Semantic roles express agent-action relationships ("Mommy eat")
    • Word order follows language-specific patterns (SVO in English)
  • Multi-word stage refines language complexity
    • Morphological development adds prefixes and suffixes
    • Grammatical markers indicate tense, number, gender
    • Sentence structure complexity increases with clauses and modifiers

Individual variability in language acquisition

  • Genetic factors influence language learning potential
    • Innate language acquisition device facilitates grammar acquisition
  • Environmental influences shape language development
    • Caregiver input provides language models and feedback
    • Socioeconomic status affects exposure to diverse vocabulary
  • Cognitive abilities impact language processing
    • Memory capacity determines word and phrase retention
    • Processing speed influences real-time language comprehension
  • Bilingualism effects alter acquisition patterns
    • Simultaneous acquisition develops two languages from birth
    • Sequential acquisition introduces second language after first
  • Gender differences appear in early language skills
    • Early vocabulary development often favors girls
  • Cultural variations affect language features
    • Language-specific features reflect cultural norms and values
  • Developmental disorders impact language acquisition
    • Specific Language Impairment (SLI) delays language without cognitive deficits
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects social communication skills

Key Terms to Review (22)

Two-word stage: The two-word stage is a significant phase in language development where children begin to combine two words to form simple sentences, typically occurring between 18 to 24 months of age. This stage marks a crucial step in the transition from single words to more complex speech, showcasing the child’s understanding of syntax and the ability to express more complex ideas.
One-word stage: The one-word stage is a phase in early language development where children typically around the age of one begin to use single words to express whole ideas or intentions. This stage marks a significant transition from pre-linguistic communication, as infants start to use words meaningfully, often using them in various contexts to convey different meanings depending on tone and situation.
Autism spectrum disorder: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition characterized by challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. It encompasses a range of symptoms and skills that can vary widely from person to person, influencing the stages of language development in unique ways as individuals with ASD may exhibit atypical patterns in their communication milestones.
Specific language impairment: Specific language impairment (SLI) is a developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to acquire language skills despite having normal intelligence and no obvious neurological or physical deficits. It can manifest in difficulties with grammar, vocabulary, and speech production, impacting communication abilities and academic performance. SLI is often identified during early childhood, as language development stages vary significantly among individuals.
Bilingualism effects: Bilingualism effects refer to the cognitive, social, and linguistic outcomes associated with the ability to use two languages fluently. These effects can manifest in various ways throughout the stages of language development, impacting aspects such as language proficiency, cognitive flexibility, and the overall process of acquiring additional languages. The interplay between a child's native language and a second language can influence their language skills and cognitive development in unique ways.
Cognitive abilities: Cognitive abilities refer to the mental capabilities that encompass the processes of learning, thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding language. These abilities are crucial for effective communication and are deeply connected to how individuals acquire and develop language throughout different stages of life.
Grammatical markers: Grammatical markers are linguistic elements that convey grammatical information such as tense, mood, aspect, number, or case. They can be affixes (prefixes and suffixes), clitics, or standalone words that modify or clarify the meaning of other words in a sentence. Understanding grammatical markers is crucial for analyzing how language structures meaning during different stages of language development.
Innate language acquisition device: The innate language acquisition device (LAD) is a theoretical construct proposed by Noam Chomsky, suggesting that humans are born with an inherent ability to acquire language. This device is thought to enable children to effortlessly learn the complex rules of language through exposure to their environment, even in the absence of explicit teaching. The concept connects to stages of language development by highlighting how children transition through various phases of language learning as they utilize this innate capability.
Basic syntax: Basic syntax refers to the set of rules and principles that govern the structure of sentences in a language. It involves how words are arranged to create meaningful phrases and sentences, influencing clarity and comprehension. Understanding basic syntax is crucial during the early stages of language development as it lays the foundation for more complex grammatical structures.
Morphological development: Morphological development refers to the process by which children learn to understand and use the structure of words, including the formation and modification of morphemes, the smallest units of meaning. This development is crucial in enabling children to expand their vocabulary and create new words, aiding their overall language acquisition. As children progress through different stages of language growth, their understanding of morphology influences how they express complex ideas and interact with others.
Overextension: Overextension is a linguistic phenomenon where a child applies a word too broadly, using it to describe objects or concepts beyond its actual meaning. This often occurs during the early stages of language development when children are learning new words and may not yet fully grasp the boundaries of their meanings. This behavior reflects children's attempts to make sense of the world around them and shows their creative use of language as they expand their vocabulary.
Word-object associations: Word-object associations refer to the connections that infants and young children make between words and the objects, actions, or concepts those words represent. This ability is a crucial part of language development, allowing children to understand and communicate their environment effectively. The formation of these associations typically begins in early childhood and plays a vital role in vocabulary acquisition and cognitive development.
Vocabulary expansion: Vocabulary expansion refers to the process of increasing the number of words an individual knows and uses, which is crucial in language development. This growth enables individuals to express themselves more precisely and understand a wider range of texts and conversations. The process of vocabulary expansion often occurs through various stages of language development, where children learn new words through exposure, interaction, and structured learning experiences.
Language milestones: Language milestones refer to the key developmental stages that children typically go through as they acquire their language skills, marking significant points in their linguistic growth. These milestones serve as indicators of a child's progress in understanding and using language, which includes speaking, listening, and comprehension abilities. They are crucial for parents, educators, and researchers to assess language development and identify any potential delays or issues.
Telegraphic speech: Telegraphic speech refers to the early stage of language development in children where they produce short, simple sentences that typically contain only essential words, resembling telegrams. This form of speech usually includes nouns and verbs while omitting grammatical markers like articles, conjunctions, and auxiliary verbs, which means it conveys basic meanings effectively but lacks full grammatical structure. It is an important milestone as it shows that children are beginning to form meaningful sentences while simplifying their communication.
First words: First words refer to the initial meaningful vocalizations that infants produce as they begin to communicate. These words typically emerge around the age of 12 months and are a crucial milestone in language development, as they signify the child’s ability to attach specific meanings to sounds and symbols.
Multi-word stage: The multi-word stage is a critical phase in language development where children begin to combine two or more words to form simple sentences. This stage typically occurs around the age of 18 to 24 months and marks a significant shift from single-word utterances to more complex forms of expression, allowing children to convey more nuanced ideas and emotions. During this stage, children start to understand basic grammar and syntax as they experiment with language in social contexts.
Holophrases: Holophrases are single words or simple phrases used by young children to convey complex meanings or emotions. These linguistic utterances represent a stage in early language development where a child uses one word to express a whole idea, often relying on context for clarity.
Prelinguistic stage: The prelinguistic stage is the phase of language development that occurs before a child begins to use words. During this stage, infants communicate primarily through sounds, gestures, and facial expressions. This stage lays the groundwork for later language acquisition by helping children develop the ability to express needs and emotions, as well as understand social cues from caregivers.
Babbling stage: The babbling stage is a crucial phase in early language development that typically occurs between 4 to 6 months of age, where infants begin to produce repetitive consonant-vowel combinations such as 'ba-ba' or 'da-da'. This stage signifies the transition from cooing to more complex speech patterns, as infants start experimenting with their vocalizations and laying the groundwork for later language acquisition. The sounds made during this stage are not actual words but serve as practice for the articulation of speech.
Phoneme Production: Phoneme production refers to the process of articulating distinct units of sound that can differentiate meaning in spoken language. It plays a crucial role in language development as children learn to manipulate these sounds to form words, which is a fundamental step in acquiring linguistic skills. The ability to produce phonemes effectively is linked to a child's overall communication abilities and influences their literacy development later on.
Semantic roles: Semantic roles are the functions that participants in a sentence fulfill in relation to the action or state described by the verb. They help clarify who is doing what, such as the agent performing an action, the patient receiving it, or the experiencer undergoing a state. Understanding semantic roles is crucial for analyzing sentence meaning and contributes to how language is processed and developed over time.