Unit 3.? - Exploring Language Development

Language

a system of communication using symbols, sounds, and grammar to convey thoughts, feelings, and meaning.

Critical Period

a specific time frame in early childhood when the brain is most receptive to learning language, making it easier to acquire fluency.

Phonemes

the smallest distinct units of sound in a language that can change the meaning of a word. 

Morphemes

the smallest units of meaning in a language, such as prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

Semantics

 the study of meaning in language, focusing on how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning.

Grammar

the set of rules that govern how words are combined to form sentences, enabling clear and meaningful communication in a language.

Syntax

the set of rules that determines the arrangement of words and phrases to form sentences in a language, affecting sentence structure and meaning.

Cooing

 early stage of language development where infants produce repetitive, soft vowel sounds like "oo" and "ah," usually starting around two months of age.

Babbling Stage

phase in language development, usually starting around 4-6 months, where infants produce repetitive consonant-vowel combinations like "ba-ba" and "da-da."

One-Word Stage

phase in language development, typically around age one, where children use single words to represent whole sentences or ideas. 

Two-Word Stage

phase in language development, around age two, where children start combining two words to form simple sentences, like "want cookie" or "go car."

Telegraphic speech

involves using short, concise phrases that omit less essential words

Overgeneralization

common error in language development where children apply grammatical rules too broadly, resulting in mistakes like "goed" instead of "went" or "tooths" instead of "teeth."

Nonverbal Manual Gestures

manual gestures are hand or arm movements used to communicate without speaking, such as pointing, waving, or making signs, and often convey emotions, intentions, or directions.