Language Development

What is language?
Language is the most important aspect in the life of all beings. We use language to express inner thoughts and emotions, make sense of complex and abstract thought, to learn to communicate with others, to fulfill our wants and needs, as well as to establish rules and maintain our culture. Language can be defined as verbal, physical, biologically innate, and a basic form of communication. Behaviourists often define language as a learned behaviour involving a stimulus and a response.(Ormrod,1995) Often times they will refer to language as verbal behaviour, which is language that includes gestures and body movements as well as spoken word. ( Pierce,& Eplin,1999) When we define language we have to be careful not to exclude symbols, gestures,or motions. This is because if we exclude these from our definition, we will be denying the language of the deaf community. All human languages share basic characteristics, some of which are organizational rules and infinite generativity. Infinite Generativity is the ability to produce an infinite number of sentences using a limited set of rules and words. ( Santrock,& Mitterer,2001)

Reference: What is Language? (n.d.) Build a Free Website on For Own On Tripod. Retrieved from http://languagedevelopment.tripod.com/id2.html

Intentional Communication: why?

Reasons for communication Infants communicate for a variety of reasons, but these reasons can most simply be categorized into two groups. Namely, Imperative communications, and Declarative communications.

Imperative Communications Rejection: using consistent gestures or vocalizations to stop any interaction. ex: If a child becomes over stimulated she may turn her head away to try to take a break and regulate herself. Request: using consistent gestures or vocalizations to get help, or achieve a goal. Request for object: used to obtain something out of reach ex: bottle on table. Request for social interaction: used to gain the attention of another and maintain it. ex: throwing arms up and vocalizing. Request for action: used to commence some behavior or action. ex: holding up a ball in a partners' line of vision and vocalizing.

Declarative comments: attempting to gain the attention of a partner in order to jointly notice some object or event ex: child points at cup while alternating gaze between cup and partner and vocalizing. Other functions of early intentional comunication: -to express feelings of happiness, anger, surprise, etc -enactive reasons, imitating

Reference: Intentional Communication. Why? (n.d.) Build a Free Website on For Own On Tripod. Retrieved from http://languagedevelopment.tripod.com/id8.html