Chapter 8: Language Acquisition

Complexive Concepts

when a child creates a set of objects that do not have any particular unifying characteristic.

Imitation Theory

claims that children learn language by listening to the speech around them and reproducing what they hear.

Active construction of a grammar theory

states that children actually invent the rules of grammar themselves.

Linguistic universals

basic features shared by all languages.

Connectionist theories

assume that children learn language by creating neural connections in the brain.

Universal grammar

the theoretically inborn set of structural characteristics shared by all languages.

Underextensions

the application of a word to a smaller set of objects than is appropriate for mature adult speech.

Overextensions

when a child extends the range of a words meaning beyond that typically used by adults.

Transfer

when a speakers native language also plays a role in second- language acquisition because having learned one language influences the subsequent learning of another language.

Attention holders

methods of keeping a child engaged in what the speaker is saying.

Speech

________ usually lacks function morphemes and function words.

Social interaction theory

assumes that children acquire language through social interaction, with older children and adults in particular.

Variegated babbling

the non-repeated stringing together of syllables that comes after canonical babbling.

Babies

________ learn articulatory gestures in order to make particular sounds.

Simultaneous bilingualism

learning more than one language from birth.

Canonical babbling

continual repetition of syllables that helps a child practice a sequence of consonant and vowel sounds; begins at the age of 7- 10 months.

Critical Period

a period of time in an individuals life during which a behavior must be acquires.

Sequential bilingualism

learning a second language as a young child.

Reinforcement theory

asserts that children learn to speak like adults because they are praised /rewarded for using the right forms and are corrected when using wrong forms.

Second language acquisition

learning a second language later in life.

Attention getters

names and exclamations that tell children which utterances are directed at them.

Infants

________ must be able to identify and perceive sounds before being able to produce spoken language.

Attention holders

methods of keeping a child engaged in what the speaker is saying

“Here and Now” conversation

making running commentaries on what children do, either anticipating their actions or describing what just happened

“Taking Turns” conversations

taking turns being the listener and hearer, responding to both spoken and non-spoken actions taken by children and infants

“Making Corrections” conversations

adults make sure the child’s contribution is correct

Simultaneous bilingualism

learning more than one language from birth

Sequential bilingualism

learning a second language as a young child

Second-language acquisition

learning a second language later in life

Language mixing

using more than one language in conversation or even within a phrase