Chapter 9- Language Development

Noam Chomsky's views on language development (Hint: LAD- Language Acquisition Device)-

The Language Acquisition Device, or LAD, is part of Chomsky's acquisition hypothesis. The LAD is a system of principles that children are born with that helps them learn language, and accounts for the order in which children learn structures, and the mistakes they make as they learn. • Proposed that children have a biologically built in mechanism- a LAD, that enables them to learn complex aspects of language in a very short time.

Semantics-

The meaning of words and word combinations

Universal grammar

A set of parameters that prompt them to form certain grammatical structures and not others.

What promote (s) language development? Is Language development the result of nature, nurture or both?

Both- Chomsky v Skinner

Benefits of learning a second language-

1. Improve English 2. Decision making skills improve 3. More perceptive 4. Memory Improves 5. Smarter, more knowledgeable

Overextension-

Applying too broad of a meaning to inappropriate situations • Ex: doggie refers to all four-leg animals or daddy refers to all men

B.F. Skinner's views on language development (Hint: nurture - language development is entirely the result of environmental events)-

B. F. Skinner believed that children learn language through operant conditioning; in other words, children receive "rewards" for using language in a functional manner. ... Skinner also suggested that children learn language through imitation of others, prompting, and shaping.

Genie

Genie's is one of the best-known case studies of language acquisition in a child with delayed development. Genie demonstrated the necessity of early language stimulation in the left hemisphere of the brain to start.

Fast mapping

Inferring word's general meaning after a single or two exposures • Consider how many words are acquired in the first 8 years

Expansion-

Repetition of a child's short utterances in a more complete and grammatically correct form. • Ex- mommy is cutting a pumpkin

Telegraphic speech (e.g., mommy pumpkin)-

Short, grammatically incorrect sentences generally used by toddlers (and cavemen) • Mommy pumpkin -- (mommy is cutting a pumpkin)

Holophrase

Single word to express a complete thought. • Ex: Baby o Meaning: I am a baby. Give me that baby doll. That is my neighbor's baby.