Psycholinguistics Textbook (3)-301-304

Innate Knowledge of Language

• Some theorists argue that children are born with innate knowledge of linguistic patterns.

• Others believe children have an innate ability to identify patterns in the language they hear.

• Regardless, humans are born with a significant potential for complex communication.

Development of Language in Toddlers

• Toddlers do not start with adult-like phonology, morphology, syntax, or semantics.

• They learn different aspects of their ambient language at varying rates.

• Certain sounds and plurals are more challenging for toddlers (e.g., [ð], [θ], irregular plurals).

Two Strategies for Beginning Syntax

Whole-Phrase Strategy

• Toddlers often use entire phrases modeled on adult utterances (e.g., "I like it").

• These phrases may contain pronouns and are used without understanding individual word meanings.

• Evidence of phrase use includes consistent phrases used in specific contexts (e.g., "Pick you up" when requesting to be picked up).

Word-Combining Strategy

• Toddlers combine known words to create new meanings (e.g., "good" + shaking head "no").

• This strategy demonstrates their ability to communicate multiple ideas simultaneously.

• Early combinations often lack grammatical elements present in adult speech (e.g., "comb car").

The Two-Word Stage

• Many toddlers progress to producing two-word combinations (e.g., "Daddy car").

• Context is crucial for interpreting these phrases, which may imply various meanings.

• Common semantic relations include:

  • Object-Location: (e.g., "Hat chair")

  • Action-Location: (e.g., "Put chair")

  • Possession: (e.g., "Mommy sock")

  • Agent-Action: (e.g., "Mommy sock")

  • Action-Object: (e.g., "Eat cracker")

Morphological Development

• English learners face fewer morphological challenges compared to languages with extensive verb forms.

• Basic morphological forms in English include singular, plural, and possessive nouns.