Module 9 Flashcards
Innateness/ Mentalist Hypothesis
The hypothesis that our ability to acquire human language is genetically encoded
Language Acquisition Device (LAD)
an innate mechanism or process that facilitates the learning of language
Universal Grammar (UG)
a set of structural characteristics shared by all languages
Imitation/ Behaviorism theory of Language Acquisition
children imitate what they hear. They hear a stimulus, and respond, and then receive feedback
Active construction of grammar
children invent grammar rules and have an innate ability to do so “working grammar”
Connectionist Theories
exposure to language develops and strengthens neural connections. Higher frequency of exposure leads to stronger connections
Critical Period for language acquisition ages
for children probably before age 6, and for second language after puberty will probably not pass as a native speaker
Critical period hypothesis
there is a critical period during which language can be acquired like a native speaker, there are probably sensitive periods
prelinguistic stage of development
0-6months, crying and cooing, responding to stimuli
Babbling stage of development
6-12 months, pitch and intonation match those around them, babbling sounds not linked to needs
One word stage of development
begins around 1 year, one word sentences (holophrastic), usually CV structure, words as a whole rather than sequence of sounds
two word stage of development
begins around 1.5-2 years, two words with relationship to each other, words occur in fixed order,
beyond two word stage of development
have already learned some aspects of grammar - like word order and position of determiners, resembles adult grammar around age 5,
bilingualism
fluency in or use of two languages
language acquisition
the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language, as well as to produce and use words and sentences to communicate
