U3, L7: Exploring Language Development

Language

A system of communication using symbols, sounds, & grammar to convey thoughts, feelings, & meaning.

Critical Period

Specific time frame in early childhood when the brain is most receptive to learning language, making it easier to require fluency (2-7 yrs)

Phonemes

Smallest distinct units of sound in a language that can change the meaning of a word (distinguish 1 word from another.

Morphemes

Smallest units of meaning in language, such as prefixes, suffixes, & root words.

Semantics

Study of meaning in language, focusing on how words, phrases, & sentences convey meaning. 

Grammar

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

Syntax

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

Cooing

Early stage of language development where infants produce repetitive, soft vowel sound-like “oo” and “ah”, usually starting around 2 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” & “da-da”

One-Word Stage

Phase in language development, typically around age 1, where children use single words to represent whole sentences/ideas.

Two-Word Stage

Phase in language development, around age 2, where children start combining 2 words to form simple sentences, like “want cookie” or “go car”. (telegraphic speech = short, concise phrases that emit less essential words)

Overgeneralization

Common error in language development where children apply grammatical rule to broadly, resulting in mistakes like “goed” instead of “went” / “tooths” instead of “teeth”

Nonverbal Manual Gestures

Hand/arm movements used to communicate without speaking, such as pointing, waving, or making signs, & often convey emotions, intentions, or directions.