Language Acquisition

Question 1

Nativist Linguistic Theories

Answer 1

Children learn through their natural ability to organize the laws of language. Children do not necessarily need formal teaching to learn a language.

Question 2

Language Acquisition Device

Answer 2

Device hard-wired in human brains to deduce grammatical principles.

Question 3

Universal Grammar

Answer 3

All languages have the same basic underlying structure.

Question 4

Child Directed Speech

Answer 4

Speech directed towards young children is slow, clear, grammatical, and very repetitious.

Question 5

Social Interactionists

Answer 5

Adults play an important part in children’s language acquisition.

Question 6

Vocal Play

Answer 6

During the period of 4-6 months, infants begin to manipulate pitch, loudness, and tract closures.
(i.e. squeals, growls, yells, snorts, etc.)

Question 7

Babbling

Answer 7

Beginning around 7 months, infants begin babbling. Repeated sequences are produced.
(i.e. bababa)

Question 8

Holophrastic / One Word Stage

Answer 8

At about 10 months, infants start to use recognizable words to express pleasure or distress connected with an object.

Question 9

Two Word Stage

Answer 9

During the second year, word combinations appear.

Question 10

Telegraphic / Multi-Word Stage

Answer 10

Simple sentences in which children leave out determiners and pronouns.

Question 11

Underextensions / Overextensions

Answer 11

Young children often use words in ways that are too narrow or too broad.