11-2 Language Development

B.F. Skinner proposed that children are born with a mental program that enables them to learn grammar. Indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F). If false, edit the statement to make it a true statement.

• True

• False

Deaf children babble using hand signals. Indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F). If false, edit the statement to make it a true statement.

• True

• False

All children are born with the ability to learn any language. Indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F). If false, edit the statement to make it a true statement.

• True

• False

It is estimated that nearly half the world’s children grow up speaking two languages. Indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F). If false, edit the statement to make it a true statement.

• True

• False

Chairman is an example of a word that some people believe creates a gender stereotype in the English language. Indicate whether the statement is true (T) or false (F). If false, edit the statement to make it a true statement.

• True

• False

Which of the following is true of morphemes? Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

• They are always words.

• They are made up of a single phoneme.

• They are the smallest units of meaning.

• They are innate.

Chimps use words as _______________ like humans do, but unlike humans, chimps do not _______________. Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

• symbols; know what the symbols mean

• ideas; use any aspects of language

• sentences; think about items that are out of sight

• symbols; apply the rules of grammar

At about what age do infants reach the first stage of language development? Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

• at birth

• 2 months

• 4 months

• 9 months

A young child who points to the bakery shelves and says, “You give cupcake,” is exhibiting _______________. Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

• a mental set.

• flexibility.

• telegraphic speech.

• linguistic relativity.

____________________ is the study of language as an instrument of ____________________. Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

• Linguistics; measurement

• Psycholinguistics; imitation

• Anthropological linguistics; apes

• Sociolinguistics; socialization