Exploring Language Development

Language

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

critical period

when the brain is most receptive to learning

phonemes

the smallest distant units of sounds in a language

morphenes

the smallest units of meaning in a language

semantics

the study of meaning in a language

grammar

set of rules that govern how words are combined to form sentences

syntax

set of rules that determines the arrangement of words and phrases to form sentences in languages, affecting prefix and suffix

cooing

the stage in language development when infants produce repetitive, soft vowel sounds

babbling stage

when infants produce repetitive consonant vowel combinations

one word stage

when children use single words to represent whole sentences or ideas

two word stage

when children start combining two words to form simple sentences

overgeneralization

when children apply grammatical rules too broadly

nonverbal manual gestures

hand or arm movements used to communicate without speaking