3.5: Language and Communication Development

These flashcards highlight key vocabulary terms related to language and communication development in psychology, helping to understand the stages and components involved.

Phonemes

The smallest units of sound in a language that can distinguish one word from another.

Morphemes

The smallest units of meaning in a language, which can be whole words or parts of words, such as prefixes and suffixes.

Grammar

The set of rules governing the structure of sentences in a language.

Syntax

The rules that govern the arrangement of words in sentences.

Cooing

The production of vowel-like sounds, marking the beginning of vocal experimentation, typically occurring around 2-3 months.

Babbling

The repetitive consonant-vowel combinations produced by infants, usually beginning around 4-6 months.

One-Word Stage

A stage in language development, around 12-18 months, where children produce single words that carry meaning.

Telegraphic Speech

The use of two- or three-word combinations that resemble telegrams, occurring around 18-24 months.

Overgeneralization

A phenomenon where children apply regular grammatical rules to irregular words, such as saying 'goed' instead of 'went'.

Nonverbal Manual Gestures

Movements of the hands and arms that convey meaning without words, used in communication.