Language Acquisition Overview

Study Notes

Language Acquisition: Overview

Language acquisition is the process by which humans acquire the ability to understand and use language.
It involves the development of linguistic skills, including phonology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

Stages of Language Acquisition

Pre-linguistic stage (0-6 months):
- Cooing and babbling
- Developing phonological awareness
Babbling stage (6-9 months):
- Imitating sounds and syllable structures
- Experimenting with vocalization
One-word stage (9-12 months):
- Using single words to communicate
- Understanding object permanence
Two-word stage (12-18 months):
- Combining two words to form simple sentences
- Developing vocabulary
Telegraphic stage (18-24 months):
- Using short sentences with a focus on content words
- Omitting function words (e.g., "the," "a")

Language Acquisition Devices (LAD)

LAD hypothesis: humans are born with an innate ability to acquire language.
Universal Grammar: a set of rules and principles that are common to all human languages.
Poverty of the Stimulus: the idea that children are not exposed to enough language data to learn language solely through experience.

Factors Influencing Language Acquisition

Environment: exposure to language, social interaction, and cultural context.
Innateness: the idea that language acquisition is facilitated by innate abilities and predispositions.
Cognitive abilities: memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.

Theories of Language Acquisition

Behaviorist theory: language acquisition is a result of imitation, reinforcement, and conditioning.
Innatist theory: language acquisition is facilitated by innate abilities and Universal Grammar.
Interactionist theory: language acquisition is a result of the interaction between environment, innateness, and cognitive abilities.

Language Acquisition in Children vs. Adults

Children:
- Acquire language rapidly and effortlessly
- Possess a greater ability to learn and adapt to language rules
- Are more likely to achieve native-like fluency
Adults:
- Acquire language more slowly and with greater effort
- May experience more difficulty in learning language rules and achieving native-like fluency
- May be influenced by their native language and learning style

Description

Explore the process of language acquisition, including stages, language acquisition devices, and factors that influence language development. Learn about the different theories of language acquisition and how they compare in children and adults.