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Questions and Answers
The child Language acquisition field has played a crucial role in the advancement of SLA.
The child Language acquisition field has played a crucial role in the advancement of SLA.
True
Language rules are solely learned through imitation without any developmental errors.
Language rules are solely learned through imitation without any developmental errors.
False
A child saying 'holded' instead of 'held' supports the imitation view of language acquisition.
A child saying 'holded' instead of 'held' supports the imitation view of language acquisition.
False
According to Gass, children's language can be viewed as systematic rather than merely as deviations from adult language.
According to Gass, children's language can be viewed as systematic rather than merely as deviations from adult language.
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The prelinguistic stage occurs between 6 to 12 months of age.
The prelinguistic stage occurs between 6 to 12 months of age.
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In the telegraphic stage, children begin producing complex sentences with all functional words included.
In the telegraphic stage, children begin producing complex sentences with all functional words included.
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The holophrastic stage typically occurs when a child is around one year old.
The holophrastic stage typically occurs when a child is around one year old.
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Children achieve complete mastery of grammatical rules during the two-word stage.
Children achieve complete mastery of grammatical rules during the two-word stage.
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Overextension occurs when the meaning of a word is restricted to a specific instance.
Overextension occurs when the meaning of a word is restricted to a specific instance.
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In Brown's 1973 study, three children were observed acquiring language at different paces.
In Brown's 1973 study, three children were observed acquiring language at different paces.
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The acquisition process is conscious and involves studying grammar rules.
The acquisition process is conscious and involves studying grammar rules.
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The natural order hypothesis suggests that language learning follows a predictable sequence regardless of a learner's background.
The natural order hypothesis suggests that language learning follows a predictable sequence regardless of a learner's background.
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The 'wug test' demonstrated that children understand the concept of plurality before formal education.
The 'wug test' demonstrated that children understand the concept of plurality before formal education.
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The monitor hypothesis functions as a helper during informal speech.
The monitor hypothesis functions as a helper during informal speech.
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Inversion with Wh-questions is introduced at Stage 4 of language development.
Inversion with Wh-questions is introduced at Stage 4 of language development.
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Salience and syllabicity are factors influencing the order of acquisition of non-lexical categories and bound morphemes.
Salience and syllabicity are factors influencing the order of acquisition of non-lexical categories and bound morphemes.
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A high affective filter can facilitate language learning.
A high affective filter can facilitate language learning.
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Underextension occurs when a word is applied too broadly beyond its specific usage.
Underextension occurs when a word is applied too broadly beyond its specific usage.
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The five hypotheses of Krashen's monitor model explain the process of second language learning.
The five hypotheses of Krashen's monitor model explain the process of second language learning.
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Learners should always focus on grammar rules to effectively learn a language.
Learners should always focus on grammar rules to effectively learn a language.
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Children develop language rules that correspond exactly to those of adult language.
Children develop language rules that correspond exactly to those of adult language.
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Input that is comprehensible but slightly beyond a learner's current knowledge helps language growth.
Input that is comprehensible but slightly beyond a learner's current knowledge helps language growth.
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Correction is usually effective in helping children acquire language.
Correction is usually effective in helping children acquire language.
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All five hypotheses in Krashen's model are equally focused on acquisition processes.
All five hypotheses in Krashen's model are equally focused on acquisition processes.
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The CAH has been criticized for its empirical accuracy regarding predictions.
The CAH has been criticized for its empirical accuracy regarding predictions.
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Dulay and Burt developed the creative construction theory, claiming that children learn second languages based solely on external stimuli.
Dulay and Burt developed the creative construction theory, claiming that children learn second languages based solely on external stimuli.
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Similar patterns of development have been observed in child L1 and L2 acquisition according to studies by Brown and Dulay and Burt.
Similar patterns of development have been observed in child L1 and L2 acquisition according to studies by Brown and Dulay and Burt.
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The Bilingual Syntax Measure (BSM) is an instrument used to assess vocabulary knowledge in children learning a second language.
The Bilingual Syntax Measure (BSM) is an instrument used to assess vocabulary knowledge in children learning a second language.
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Dulay and Burt found significant differences in language development patterns between Spanish and Chinese children.
Dulay and Burt found significant differences in language development patterns between Spanish and Chinese children.
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The morpheme order studies faced challenges due to test design biases and individual differences among learners.
The morpheme order studies faced challenges due to test design biases and individual differences among learners.
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The morpheme order studies focused on a wide range of language aspects to understand the full language learning process.
The morpheme order studies focused on a wide range of language aspects to understand the full language learning process.
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The data collection methods in the morpheme order studies were consistent and clearly defined.
The data collection methods in the morpheme order studies were consistent and clearly defined.
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Language acquisition is determined by intelligence.
Language acquisition is determined by intelligence.
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Children must acquire the foreign language before any other language in the critical period.
Children must acquire the foreign language before any other language in the critical period.
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Selinker argued that simultaneous Child SLA leads to more cognitive efficiency than non-simultaneous Child SLA.
Selinker argued that simultaneous Child SLA leads to more cognitive efficiency than non-simultaneous Child SLA.
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Learner's input is considered a central variable in second language outcome.
Learner's input is considered a central variable in second language outcome.
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Children are always better than adults at acquiring a second language.
Children are always better than adults at acquiring a second language.
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Dulay and Burt's hypothesis suggests that L1 and L2 acquisition occur through completely different processes.
Dulay and Burt's hypothesis suggests that L1 and L2 acquisition occur through completely different processes.
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Chomsky supported Skinner's behaviorism theory of language acquisition.
Chomsky supported Skinner's behaviorism theory of language acquisition.
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According to George's 1972 study, less than 5% of language errors were attributable to the native language.
According to George's 1972 study, less than 5% of language errors were attributable to the native language.
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Study Notes
Child Language Acquisition
- Child language acquisition is integral to second language acquisition (SLA)
- Children interact with their environment using their innate Language Acquisition Device (LAD).
- Language learning is influenced by first language acquisition (FLA) as well as other factors
- Language is not simply imitation; it is a structured set of rules.
- Learning language involves innate principles and exposure to the language.
- Imitation is not the primary way children learn language; errors in their development prove this.
- Children may fail to imitate an adult's correct response, preferring their own understanding.
Language Acquisition Evidence
- Adults modeled the correct answer to a question, but the child used a different form of the verb despite this.
- This suggests that language acquisition is not solely based on imitation.
- Children acquire language in stages, not in a direct, adult-like way.
- At different stages, children demonstrate different levels of understanding compared with adult learning.
Stages of Language Acquisition
- Prelinguistic stage (0-6 months): Babies cry, coo, and laugh.
- Babbling (6-12 months): Babies use intonation in their babbling and may favor certain sounds.
- Holophrastic/One-word stage (1 year): Babies utter their first words, usually referring to objects or people.
- Two-word stage (24-36 months): Two-word sentences start with simple structure and semantic relationship (baby sleep).
- Telegraphic stage (3 years): Sentences contain content words but omit function words ("Mammy go work").
- Over-extension: Words are used more broadly than their actual meaning ("ball" for any round object).
- Under-extension: Words' meanings are too narrow ("kitty" only for the family cat).
Language Acquisition Study Findings
- Children's language should be studied as a system.
- Criticism that focusing on deviations isn't sufficient for a complete understanding of child language acquisition.
Grammatical Acquisition
- Children acquire grammatical morphemes in a predictable order (e.g., progressive -ing before past tense -ed).
- Salience (meaning importance) and stress patterns affect morpheme acquisition.
- Irregular verb and exceptions affect acquisition rate. Some grammatical morphemes are easier to acquire.
- Acquisition is not influenced by intelligence directly, contradicting the LAD theory.
Bilingualism
- Bilingualism: the ability to use more than one language at a time.
- Children can simultaneously acquire different languages.
- Similarities can still exist in errors across both languages, despite differing rates of acquisition.
Critical Period
- Critical period: A particular time in childhood when a child must acquire a given language. This is not absolute but applies more to earlier age acquisition.
- If a language is not learned during this period, future language acquisition might be more difficult.
Additional Considerations
- Learners' input is important for SLA outcome. Higher quality input yields better outcomes.
- Younger learners might have advantages in certain areas like phonology, but adults have strengths in syntax.
- There are different learning environments, including naturalistic or classroom-based environments.
- Criticisms of the creative construction hypothesis (CAH) include its empirical weaknesses and theoretical nature.
- Some grammatical differences present between the two language acquisition groups, but the patterns of development are usually similar across languages.
- Several factors contribute to language acquisition errors, including the native language. Further research could explore the extent to which errors are directly tied to the native language.
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Description
This quiz explores the theory of child language acquisition and its significance in second language learning. It discusses the role of the Language Acquisition Device and factors that influence language development. Test your understanding of how children learn language beyond mere imitation.
