Language Development

1
Language Development

• Acquisition Theories

2
Genie

• What was Genies overall condition like?
• Social
• Physical
• Cognitive
• What did the cognitive testing reveal about how
  Genies brain developed?
• Was Genies early language deprivation the ONLY
  factor that contributed to her abnormal language
  development?

3
What is language?

• A complex communication system that involves the
  use of abstract symbols to convey unlimited
  messages.
• Do animals have language?
• Humans can transcend time and space with
  language.
• Gestures

4
How is language structured?

• Phonemes smallest unit of sound (ch, st, b) no
  attached meaning. (40-50 unique phonemes)
• Morphemes smallest unit of meaning (ing, dogs)
  
• Syntax order of word, helps us interpret
  meanings
• We are going to the store.
• Nouns/subjects 1st, verbs/predicates 2nd.

Book him!!
5
How do we learn language?

• Learning Theories Exposure, Reinforcement,
  Repetition
• Nativist Theories hardwired to learn
• Both sides have ardent supporters

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Learning Theories

• B. F. Skinner
• Principles of learning
• Associate shape of mouth and sound
• Reinforced with smiles and tone of voice
• Observation Learning, mimic

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Nativist Theories

• Noam Chomsky
• Ability to speak is hardwired, but environment is
  the trigger.
• Innate
• LAD Language Acquisition Device
• Eric Lenneberg
• Expanded the idea for a critical period for
  language acquisition.

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Age Milestone
Birth to 2 months Cooing
2 months to 12 months Babbling
Approximately 12 months 1st word (typically sound, da)
Approximately 16 months Two word utterances tele-graphic
2-6 years of age Add 6-10 new words per day
During ages 2-6, learn grammar Overextension (doggie for every four-legged animal)
Age 5 Overregularization I goed to the store
From age 5 on Add words to vocabulary, learn subtleties of language
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Linguistic Universals

• Arbitrariness words are selected to stand for
  objects, agreed upon.
• Displacement allows us to talk about events the
  have happened, and will happen.
• Vocal-auditory channel primary form of
  communication using language. (exclusions sign
  language)