Language Development Flashcards
4 main areas of language competence
1) Phonology- the rules of sound
2) Semantics- meanings within language
3) Syntax- grammar
4) Pragmatics- awareness of social context
Typical Pathway of Language Development
**Children develop at different rates but this typical pathway acts as a guideline for what is expect of a child at a given age so those falling behind can be identified
1) Shared Rhythms
the parent builds on biological rhythms expressed by the baby to develop a mutual monologue that will form the basis for communication patterns that characterise the adult world
Stern (1990) Baby and adult interactions involve close proximity, exaggerated facial expressions, increased eye contact and repetition
2) Babbling and Echolalia
More vowels and constants develop, and a wider range of behaviours, with some only being reserved for the caregiver
Echolalia- repetition of sounds, eg. mamama
3) First ‘Words’
not always words defined by the dictionary but are classified as words if the are repeatedly used to describe an object, person or situation
By the age of 21 months infants have learnt around 200 words
Nelson (1973) found that the way the parents responds to a child’s incomplete sentences influences development. Children who had adults respond with a recast rather than an expansion to the sentence , performed better in an imitation tasks and used more complex grammar in spontaneous speech
4) Short Sentences
Children are capable of parings several words togther, but logical errors are common.
Use of Idiosyncratic words- merging of multiple words to form one
5) Sentences
Speech is largely understandable to adults, even those outside the family
Vocabulary= approx. 1000 words (increased complexity and length) but still perfecting some linguistic systems like pronouns and irregular verbs
6) Complex Sentences
Use of language is very similar to that of adults
They are able to adjust their language to suit their listener, eg. less complex speech for younger children
Still make logical errors as syntax and phonology isn’t fully developed
