Language Acquisition

Front

What are the stages of language development in children?

Back

1. Babbling phase (7-10 months) 2. One-word stage (12-14 months) 3. Two-word stage (around 2 years) 4. Telegraphic stage (around 3 years) 5. Increased complexity (3-4 years)

Front

What is the 'holophrastic' stage in language acquisition?

Back

The 'holophrastic' stage is when children produce one-word sentences, primarily using nominals like 'mother' or 'water'.

Front

What is the main theory of language acquisition?

Back

The innateness hypothesis, which suggests that language ability is innate in humans and that there are universal grammar features shared by all languages.

Front

What are E. Lenneberg's characteristics of biologically controlled behaviors?

Back

1. Emerges before necessary 2. Not a conscious decision 3. Not triggered by external events 4. Little effect from direct teaching 5. Regular sequence of milestones 6. Critical period for acquisition.

Front

What is the critical period for language acquisition according to the Innateness Hypothesis?

Back

The critical period for language acquisition is from birth to the onset of puberty.

Front

What evidence supports the critical period hypothesis?

Back

Evidence includes cases of neglected or feral children and instances of deaf children who create 'homesign' gestures when not exposed to signed language.

Front

What is the Imitation Theory of language acquisition?

Back

The Imitation Theory posits that children learn language by listening to and reproducing the speech around them.

Front

What are the problems with the Imitation Theory?

Back

1. Differences between children's and adults' language 2. Overgeneralization (e.g., 'goed') 3. Conceptual issues in producing new sentences.

Front

What is the Reinforcement Theory of language acquisition?

Back

The Reinforcement Theory suggests that children learn to speak through praise and correction when using the right or wrong forms.

Front

What are the problems with the Reinforcement Theory?

Back

1. Rare appraisals and corrections 2. Unsuccessful attempts at correction.