3.5 Language development

Language

Shared system of symbols that represent objects, actions and ideas; can be spoken, written, or gestures

Phenomes

First sound an infant makes, most basic, no meaning; BBB in Bat; helps with pronunciation as phenomes are the building blocks for spoken language

Morphemes

smallest unit of meaning in language; can be a word, prefix or suffix, Dog, or ‘ed’ in walkED. Helps to know how words are formed and allow use to understand meaning and changes

Semantic

Meaning behinds the words and sentence; can be Surface or Deep

Surface Structure Semantics

literal meaning of a word or sentence

Deep Structure Semantics

Meaning behind the words or sentences

Grammar

Set of rules that govern how words can be combined; set of rules a language follows

Syntax

Specific rules for arranging words and phrases into comprehensible sentences; language governs syntax

Language is generative. Generative means ….

infinite number of sentences and ideas

4 stages of learning language:

Cooing stage, Babbling stage, One word stage, Two-word or telegraphic Speech stage

1) Cooing stage

2 months old; baby makes soft, repeatable sounds, ooooooh or aaaaaaahhhhhhhh

2) Babbling stage

4-6 months old, baby starts combining constants and vowels, baba, or gaga

3) One word stage

12-18 months old; One word, repeatable, mom, dad, ball. single words often represent a whole idea, Milk = I want milk OR I dropped my milk (holophrases)

Holophrases

One word refers to different objects, people, or individual ideas

4) Two word stage or Telegraphic Speech stage

18-24 months old, Child can connect 2-3 word phrases together: I want milk, daddy go. Uses only essential words, little to no grammar

Overgeneralization

Individual learning a language applies grammar rules too broadly; Mouses instead of mice