Components of Language and Language Development

Components of Language

  • Lexicon: The vocabulary of a language.
  • Grammar: Rules governing the structure of a language, including semantics and syntax.
  • Phonemes: Basic sound units for language; differ across languages.
  • Morphemes: Smallest meaningful units; can be phonemes, like "I".
  • Semantics: Derivation of meaning from words.
  • Syntax: Organization of words into sentences.

Language Development

  • Language acquisition is rapid in early childhood.
  • B.F. Skinner proposed learning through reinforcement.
  • Noam Chomsky suggested innate biological predisposition for language (critical period).
  • Children show language learning signs even prenatally (e.g., preference for mother's voice).

Stages of Language and Communication Development (Table 7.1)

  1. 0-3 months: Reflexive communication.
  2. 3-8 months: Interest in others and reflexive communication.
  3. 8-13 months: Intentional communication; sociability.
  4. 12-18 months: First words.
  5. 18-24 months: Simple sentences (two words).
  6. 2-3 years: Sentences with three or more words.
  7. 3-5 years: Complex sentences and conversations.

Phonemic Discrimination

  • Babies can initially distinguish sounds from all human languages.
  • By age 1, they can only discern sounds from their environment's language.

Babbling Stage

  • Occurs after a few months; repetitive single syllables.
  • Not necessarily communicative.
  • Children exposed to sign language exhibit gestural babbling.

First Words and Vocabulary Growth

  • First words emerge around 1-18 months; initially one-word utterances.
  • Vocabulary expands rapidly; clear understanding of language rules.
  • Overgeneralization: applying rules (e.g., adding "s" for plurals) to exceptions.

Language and Thought

  • Language's influence on thought debated; described by Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
  • Linguistic determinism: language may shape thought.
  • Research on English vs. Mandarin Chinese shows differences in temporal expressions affecting cognition.
  • Studies on color perception reveal that fewer color terms do not impede color differentiation proficiency.

Key Findings

  • Linguistic habits may impact cognitive processes (e.g., temporal awareness).
  • Left hemisphere associated with language, but right hemisphere less influenced by language on perception.