TTC 2014 Language is A body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition. Dictionary.com A systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Behaviorism Theory Principles to Remember Language is acquired through imitation of language produced by those around the child. Tabula Rasa Stimuli: linguistic responses Conditioning: Reinforcement Nativist Theory Theory Principles to Rememeber Language acquisition is derived from the fundamental assertion that it is innately determined. People are born with the genetic capacity to learn languages. Acquistion is systematic: rule governed LAD (language acquisition device) Universal Grammar Critical Period Hypothesis Chomskys theory Cognitivist Theory Theory Principles to Remember Language acquisition is but one example of the human childs brain to learn from experience . Language is the result of the childs interaction with his environment. Piaget Vs Vigotsky The environment surrounding the child is more important than the language outcome Cognitive development and language are closely related Zone of proximal development (Vygotsky) Children categorize new language; process information into innate schemas of grammar Piaget Vs Vygotsky Jean Piaget Lev Vygotsky Language is linked to cognitive development. The cognitive development comes before language. Stages of cognitive development: Sensori-motor (0-2 y/o) Pre operational (2-7y/o) Concrete operational (7-12 y/o) Formal Operational (12-15 y/o) Adults should assist but not intervene
Thought and speech have different roots. Thought is not verbal and speech is not intellectual They are separated but they intersect in different moment in life. Skills are not determined by innate factors but they are product of social activities. Zone of proximal development Theory. Constructivist Theory Theory Principles to Remember A reciprocal behavioral system operates between a language-developing child and a competent- language user withing a sociolizing, nurturing relationship. Social interaction is the origin of language acquisition There is an emphasis on the functions of the language rather than on the rules of it. Language is used for interactive communication Stages in language acquisition Acquistion of: Sounds of language (phonology) Words (Morphology) Grammar (Syntax) Meaning of structures and words (Semantics) Social context of the language (Pragmatics)