Chapter Two

Explain the two primary methods of data collection and the types of data generated by each.

-spontaneous conversational sampling or natural observation -structured testing or experimental manipulation

What are the four goals of child language research?

-to confirm general linguistic principles -to discover principles of language development -to clarify the relationship of language to development in other areas, such as cognition -to provide a more or less theoretical description of language development

Discuss the primary areas of investigation undertaken in cross-language studies.

-to determine what aspects of language are universal -to determine whether development is the result of universal cognitive development or unique linguistic knowledge. -to identify underlying language-learning strategies.

Explain the different ways in which a child is assumed to learn grammar in the Generativist/Nativist and Constructionist theories.

A child must acquire all the words, idioms, and constructions of that language. They must also link the core structures of the particular language being learned to the universal grammar. Although the language a child hears has errors, the child acquires the rules because he or she has a genetically determine capacity for acquiring language.

Child-directed speech (CDS)

Adult speech adapted for use when talking with young children.

Generative Approach

Also called Nativist, the generative approach assumes that children are able to acquire language because they are born with innate rules or principles related to structures of human language.

How can the method of collection affect the language sample collected?

Depending on the control of context, it may result in rather narrow sampling.

Relationship of Generative or Nativist theories and Constructionist theories.

Generativists/Nativists assume that children learn language with the aid of innate rules or principles related to the structure of human language. They characterize language as a set of meaningful linguistic elements or words that children learn and then link back to language universals. Constructionists assume that children learn language from the input to which they are exposed using general brain processes. They believe language structure emerges from language use. They characterize language as a set of meaningful rules and a set of meaningful linguistic elements or words.

Explain the way in which language sample and population sample size and variability affect the data collected.

If a sample size is too small, it will restrict the conclusions that can be drawn about all children, and too large a sample may be unwieldy. Variability should accurately reflect the diversity of the larger population from which they were drawn.

Nativist Approach

Linguistic theory associated with Chomsky and his followers, who emphasize innateness of language and contend that there are special mechanisms in the human brain dedicated who the acquisition and use of language

Constructionist Approach

Linguistic theory that argues that children learn language from their environment one construction at a time versus rule learning.

Emergentism

Linguistic theory that argues that language is a structure arising from existing interacting patterns in the human brain.

Effect of the method of data collection on the resultant data

Research requires careful consideration of many variables including the method of data collection, sample size and variability, naturalness and representativeness of the data, and collection and analysis procedures.

Value of cross-language studies

The goals of cross-language studies are as follows: to determine what aspects of language are universal, to determine whether development is the result of universal cognitive development or unique linguistic knowledge, to identify underlying language-learning strategies.