Topic 6

Language Acquisition

The process through which children naturally acquire their native language.

Protolanguage

The early form of language used by infants, characterized by babbling and not fully developed language.

Holophrases

Single-word utterances that convey a whole sentence or concept, typically used by children around 1 year of age.

Telegraphic Speech

A stage of language development characterized by the use of longer strings of words without complete syntax.

Complex Grammar

The stage in language development where children can form questions and use grammatical structures correctly.

Behaviourist Theory

A theory that posits language is learned through repetition, imitation, and reinforcement, associated with Burrhus Skinner.

Nativist Theory

A theory suggesting that humans are born with an innate biological capacity to learn language, associated with Noam Chomsky.

Socioculturalist Theory

A theory that emphasizes the importance of social interaction and context in language acquisition, associated with Vygotsky, Bruner, and Halliday.

Stages of Language Acquisition

Typical phases through which children acquire their native language, including babbling, single-word utterances, two-word utterances, telegraphic speech, and complex grammar.

Cognitive Aptitude

The innate ability to acquire language, as posited by Nativist theories.