Language Development Flashcards
Theories of Language Development
what are the 3 major theories of language acquisition
1) learning
2) nativist
3) social interactionist
Theories of Language Development
according to language theory, language developmentis the result of what 2 things?
imitation & reinforcement
Theories of Language Development
according to nativist theory, humans are ____ ____ to acquire language.
biologically programmed
Theories of Language Development
define language acquisition device according to Chomsky’s nativist theory
an inborn linguistic processor that enables children to understand language & speak in rule-governed ways
Theories of Language Development
research findings provide evidence for Chomsky’s nativist theory by showing that all languages have what and that all children what?
the same basic underlying grammatic structure; pass through the same stages of language acquistion at similar ages
Theories of Language Development
according to social interactionist theory, language acquistion depends on a combination of ____ and ____ factors.
biological & social factors
Theories of Language Development
research findings supporting social interactionist theory have shown caregivers often use what type of speech when talking to young children
child-directed speech (and this speech facilitates language development
Theories of Language Development
child-directed speech (aka parentese) involves what characteristics
- speaking slowly
- a high-pitched voice
- restricted vocabulary
- simple repetitive sentences
- placing exaggerated emphasis on key words
- focusing on present events
Components of Language
list the 5 major components of language
1) Phonology
2) Morphology
3) Syntax
4) Semantics
5) Pragmatics
Components of Language
define Phonology
the rules for using phonemes
Components of Language
what are phonemes
the smallest units of sound in a language (each language has a limited number of phonemes e.g., English has about 50 phonemes [c, t, th])
Components of Language
define Morphology
the rules governing the use of morphemes
Components of Language
what are morphemes
the smallest units of language that have meaning
Components of Language
free morphemes vs bound morphemes
free morphemes
minimal units of meaning that stand alone as words (e.g., test, certain)
bound morphemes
must be combined with at least 1 other morpheme (e.g., pre in pretest, un in uncertain)
Components of Language
define Syntax
the rules that determine how words can be combined into sentences
Components of Language
syntax allows us to recognize that sentences with a different level of complexity and order of words have the same ____. Give an example.
meaning; The client signed the consent form means the same as The consent form was signed by the client.
Components of Language
define Semantics
the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences; focuses on their literal meaning (e.g., dictionary definition of the word
Components of Language
define pragmatics
the use and meaning of verbal & nonverbal language in different social contexts
Components of Language
the following are examples of what?
- adhereing to conversational rules (e.g., turn-taking, staying on topic)
- using language that is appropriate for the listener or situation (e.g., using different language when talking to an employer or a child), appropriately using and understanding body language (e.g., gestures, facial expressions)
- appropriately using & understanding non-literal language (e.g., idioms, slang, humor, sarcasm)
pragmatic skills
Crying
list the 3 types of cries immediately following an infant’s birth
1) a low-pitched rhythmic cry
2) a shrill
3) a loud high-pitched cry followed by silence
Crying
a low-pitched rhythmic cry signals what
signals hunger or discomfort
Crying
a shrill cry signals what?
anger or frustration
Crying
a loud high-pitched cry followed by silence signals what? silence is due to what?
pain; silence signals breath-holding
Research on Crying
Bell & Ainsworth (1972) found that, when mothers in their study responded quickly and consistently to their crying infants during the first few months of life, the infants…
a) cried more in subsequent months
b) cried less in subsequent months
c) cried the same amount in subsequent months
d) did not cry in subsequent months
b) cried less in subsequent months