8.17 Language Acquisition and Development

These flashcards cover key concepts related to language acquisition, including sensitive and critical periods, case studies, and relevant terminology.

Language Acquisition

The process through which children naturally absorb and develop language, differing from traditional learning.

Sensitive Period

A time frame in childhood when the brain is primed to absorb language more easily.

Critical Period

A crucial timeframe where exposure to language is necessary to avoid permanent impairment in language acquisition.

Jeanie Case Study

An example of extreme neglect where a girl raised without language exposure struggled to acquire language skills.

Fluency

The ability to speak a language smoothly and accurately, often influenced by the age of acquisition.

Accent

A distinctive mode of pronunciation of a language, often resulting from language acquisition occurring outside of the sensitive period.

Syntax

The set of rules, principles, and processes that govern the structure of sentences in a language.

Pragmatics

The rules and conventions for using language effectively in a social context.