Podcast
Questions and Answers
Many people believe that language is what sets humans apart from other ______.
Many people believe that language is what sets humans apart from other ______.
animals
A predominant theory assumes that part of our ability to acquire language is ______.
A predominant theory assumes that part of our ability to acquire language is ______.
innate
All children go through the same stages of language ______.
All children go through the same stages of language ______.
development
Children learn their first words and then progress to the one-word ______.
Children learn their first words and then progress to the one-word ______.
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Innate behaviours are present in all normal individuals of a _____
Innate behaviours are present in all normal individuals of a _____
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Second-language acquisition can differ from first-language acquisition in many ______.
Second-language acquisition can differ from first-language acquisition in many ______.
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Language is a communication system consisting of sounds, morphemes, words, and rules for ______ all of these.
Language is a communication system consisting of sounds, morphemes, words, and rules for ______ all of these.
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Walking is a behaviour for which humans are genetically _____
Walking is a behaviour for which humans are genetically _____
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If knowing a language were simply a matter of knowing a lot of words, language acquisition would just be a process of figuring out what the words were and ______ them.
If knowing a language were simply a matter of knowing a lot of words, language acquisition would just be a process of figuring out what the words were and ______ them.
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Playing the piano must be specifically _____
Playing the piano must be specifically _____
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Children must acquire a grammar with all its components and ______.
Children must acquire a grammar with all its components and ______.
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Lenneberg proposed characteristics of biologically controlled _____
Lenneberg proposed characteristics of biologically controlled _____
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There is likely to be a critical _____ for the acquisition of the behaviour.
There is likely to be a critical _____ for the acquisition of the behaviour.
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The critical period for language acquisition is assumed to extend from birth to approximately the onset of _____
The critical period for language acquisition is assumed to extend from birth to approximately the onset of _____
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If a child is not exposed to language during the critical period, they may never acquire normal language _____
If a child is not exposed to language during the critical period, they may never acquire normal language _____
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A child who has acquired a native language during the critical period will likely achieve native _____ in a second language learned early.
A child who has acquired a native language during the critical period will likely achieve native _____ in a second language learned early.
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The ______ hypothesis asserts that language ability is innate in humans.
The ______ hypothesis asserts that language ability is innate in humans.
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Linguistic features shared by all languages are known as ______.
Linguistic features shared by all languages are known as ______.
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The theory that seeks to explain how children acquire specific language is often linked to ______ theory.
The theory that seeks to explain how children acquire specific language is often linked to ______ theory.
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According to the innateness hypothesis, babies are born with the knowledge of language ______.
According to the innateness hypothesis, babies are born with the knowledge of language ______.
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The ______ Theory and Reinforcement Theory have been largely refuted regarding language acquisition.
The ______ Theory and Reinforcement Theory have been largely refuted regarding language acquisition.
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The genetically predisposed ability to acquire language is part of human ______.
The genetically predisposed ability to acquire language is part of human ______.
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The theoretically inborn set of structural characteristics shared by all languages is termed [blank grammar].
The theoretically inborn set of structural characteristics shared by all languages is termed [blank grammar].
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Eric Lenneberg's work supports the idea that linguistic ability has an ______ basis.
Eric Lenneberg's work supports the idea that linguistic ability has an ______ basis.
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Children who learn a second language after age ______ are likely to not acquire complete native competence.
Children who learn a second language after age ______ are likely to not acquire complete native competence.
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To support the critical period hypothesis, researchers look at cases of ______ children who lacked linguistic input.
To support the critical period hypothesis, researchers look at cases of ______ children who lacked linguistic input.
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Feral children are those who have grown up in the wild, often with ______.
Feral children are those who have grown up in the wild, often with ______.
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Genie was found in ______ when she was nearly fourteen years old.
Genie was found in ______ when she was nearly fourteen years old.
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Genie's language acquisition was extremely ______ despite her exposure to language after being discovered.
Genie's language acquisition was extremely ______ despite her exposure to language after being discovered.
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Isabelle was discovered at the age of ______ and made rapid progress in her language skills.
Isabelle was discovered at the age of ______ and made rapid progress in her language skills.
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Isabelle was introduced to language lessons at ______ State University.
Isabelle was introduced to language lessons at ______ State University.
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Genie never learned ______, which is a fundamental aspect of language structure.
Genie never learned ______, which is a fundamental aspect of language structure.
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Such children are usually traumatized or are not ______ before they are rescued.
Such children are usually traumatized or are not ______ before they are rescued.
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Genie had been ______ by her father for making noises, affecting her language acquisition.
Genie had been ______ by her father for making noises, affecting her language acquisition.
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Isabelle was locked in a room with her ______, and they developed a rudimentary gesture system.
Isabelle was locked in a room with her ______, and they developed a rudimentary gesture system.
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Isabelle had access to a rudimentary communication ______ during her early years.
Isabelle had access to a rudimentary communication ______ during her early years.
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Stronger evidence for the critical period hypothesis for first-language acquisition can be found in instances of deaf children raised without access to signed ______.
Stronger evidence for the critical period hypothesis for first-language acquisition can be found in instances of deaf children raised without access to signed ______.
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Most children at the state school for the deaf arrived with idiosyncratic and rudimentary homesign ______ systems.
Most children at the state school for the deaf arrived with idiosyncratic and rudimentary homesign ______ systems.
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Homesigns may represent the names of common activities such as '______' or common objects.
Homesigns may represent the names of common activities such as '______' or common objects.
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While homesigns allow for some communication, they are not a ______ as they lack grammar.
While homesigns allow for some communication, they are not a ______ as they lack grammar.
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Study Notes
Language Acquisition
- Language is a complex system that sets humans apart from other animals.
- A prevalent theory suggests language acquisition is partly innate, with children developing language rules.
- Language acquisition involves various stages, from babbling to one-word, two-word stages, and complex structures.
- Second-language acquisition differs from first-language acquisition.
Theories of Language Acquisition
- The innateness hypothesis is a prominent theory suggesting inherent language abilities in humans.
- There are various theories of language acquisition, including Imitation and Reinforcement theories (now considered inadequate).
- The Active Construction of a Grammar theory is a more contemporary and influential view.
Language Acquisition: Speech, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax
- Infants perceive and produce sounds, with crucial development in phonology.
- First words, and the acquisition of phonology are discussed, including babbling.
- The acquisition of morphology, syntax, and word meaning are investigated, including the one-word and two-word stages.
- Learning happens iteratively, progressing through stages of language development.
Innateness Hypothesis
- Language ability is innate in humans, suggesting a genetic predisposition.
- Language learning involves identifying language patterns, implying an inherent knowledge of language structures.
- There is an innate knowledge potentially of universals (shared features of language).
- Key features for biologically controlled behaviours: early emergence, not needing a conscious decision, no external trigger required, and low impact of direct instruction.
- Research suggests a critical period for language acquisition, starting from birth to puberty (approximately).
- Language is not acquired if not exposed (during this period) within the critical period.
Critical Period for Language Acquisition
- Periods of time (critical period) are crucial for acquiring particular skills, like language.
- Failure to acquire the capability during the critical period can affect the language acquisition outcome.
- Evidence like Genie and Isabelle case studies shows negative impact of late language exposure.
- Exposure during critical period is vital for typical language development.
Homesign and Pidgin
- Deaf children, brought to schools in a country with no language input may create a homesign system.
- From combination of the homesign systems, children may create a pidgin.
- With time and exposure, from a pidgin, a full language system (sign language) may develop.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of language acquisition, examining both first and second-language development. This quiz covers key theories, including the innateness hypothesis and various stages from babbling to complex structures. Test your knowledge on how children learn language and the complexities involved in this process.
