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7.9.2. Development of Language
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Today, we will begin discussing how we develop language. Can anyone tell me the key characteristics of language? Think about what makes our communication effective.
Language uses symbols and rules, right?
Exactly! Symbols represent our experiences, while rules help us structure these symbols into meaningful sentences. Let's remember 'SRR' for Symbols, Rules, and Communication.
So, without the rules, our language wouldn't make sense?
That's right! Can anyone think of an example where language could be confusing without these rules?
If I said 'going school to I' instead of 'I am going to school', it would be confusing.
Perfect example! Let's summarize what we've learned—language is rooted in symbols, structured by rules, and aimed at communication.
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Now, let's delve into the stages of language development. Can anyone remember the first stage?
Is it cooing?
Yes, cooing represents early phonation. Around six months, they start babbling. Can someone define babbling?
It’s when babies repeat consonant-vowel sound combinations like 'ba-ba'?
Correct! Let's remember the acronym 'CBOW' for Cooing, Babbling, One-word, and Two-word phases. What comes next after two-word speech?
Early sentences form after that!
Exactly! And this demonstrates how systematic language acquisition is. Each stage builds upon the last, leading to complexity in communication.
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Create a free accountLet's shift our focus to the relationship between language and thought. Who can summarize the three major viewpoints?
One perspective is that language determines thought. It influences how we think.
Right! That’s the linguistic relativity hypothesis. What about the second perspective?
Thought determines language! Piaget believed thought comes first, and language develops later.
Spot on! Lastly, what did Vygotsky add to our understanding?
He said they develop separately at first, but they merge around two years of age?
Exactly! Merging these functions is crucial for understanding how language enhances cognitive processes. Can everyone remember the key to this relationship—'TLR'? Thought, Language, Relationship.
Overview
Short Summary
This section outlines the processes involved in language development, emphasizing the systematic and unique characteristics of human language acquisition.
Medium Summary
The development of language is a complex, systematic process that begins in infancy and progresses through identifiable stages. Children acquire language through interaction and exposure, guided by both innate faculties and social learning. This section also examines the relationship between language and thought, highlighting the pivotal role language plays in human communication.
Detailed Summary
Development of Language
Understanding the development of language envelops the exploration of how humans acquire and utilize language across different life stages. Language signifies a sophisticated construct consisting of symbols, rules, and communication capabilities. Children embark on this journey from infancy, where their initial sounds evolve into meaningful words and structures through interaction with caretakers and environmental influences.
Key Characteristics of Language
Language is marked by three main characteristics:
- Symbols: These represent objects, ideas, or experiences, transforming mere sound into meaning.
- Rules: A set of guidelines for organizing symbols into comprehensible communication, ensuring that phrases convey a coherent message.
- Communication: The purpose of language is to exchange thoughts, feelings, or intents, facilitating understanding among individuals.
Stages of Language Development
Language development can be broadly categorized into stages that children typically follow:
- Cooing (3-6 months): Early sounds become meaningful expressions of happiness.
- Babbling (6-9 months): Repetitive consonant-vowel combinations emerge, such as 'da-da'.
- One-word Phase (12 months): The use of single words to convey complete ideas or desires.
- Two-word Phase (18-20 months): Phrases that convey more complex meanings, e.g., 'want cookie'.
- Early Sentences (2-3 years): Children begin to use rules of grammar and create more intricate sentences.
Furthermore, understanding the relationship between language and thought is essential. There are three major perspectives:
- Language Determines Thought: Proposed by Whorf, suggesting language shapes cognitive processes.
- Thought Determines Language: Championed by Piaget, claiming that thought precedes linguistic expression.
- Separate Origins: Vyogotsky argued that language and thought evolve independently but converge after the age of two, becoming interdependent.
This intricately linked relationship between language and thought underscores the importance of nurturing language skills in early childhood to cultivate overall cognitive development.
Reference YouTube Videos
Key Concepts
Core takeaways and short definitions to help you quickly recall the key ideas from this section.
Symbols: Representing meaning in language.
Rules: Structuring communication logically.
Stages of Language Development: Progressive milestones in acquiring language.
Language-Thought Relationship: How language influences and relates to cognitive processes.
Examples
Step-by-step examples to apply the section's ideas and test your understanding.
A child initially coos, then begins to babble, and finally forms simple words like 'mama' or 'dada'.
When a child successfully uses the phrase 'want cookie', it demonstrates their understanding of two words combined to express desire.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Stories
Memory Tools
Flash Cards
Glossary
Symbols
Representations used in language to signify objects, ideas, or experiences.
Rules
Guidelines that govern the structure of language.
Communication
The act of conveying thoughts, feelings, or intentions to others.
Cooing
The early stage of language development characterized by happy sounds, typically seen in infants around three to six months.
Babbling
The repetitive consonant-vowel sounds made by infants typically between six and nine months.
Oneword Phase
A stage where children typically use single words to express complete ideas around their first birthday.
Twoword Phase
Development phase where children combine two words to convey more complex meanings.
Total immersion
A learning approach where students are surrounded by the target language extensively.