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Introduction to Language Introduction to Language AcquisitionAcquisition
University of Massachusetts BostonECHD 440 & 640Lisa Van ThielLisa Van Thiel
Image by eoSos.de
Goals for this session:Goals for this session:
Identify language theorists Name five aspects of language
development Define each of the five aspects of language p g g
knowledge and; Describe the similarities and differences
between receptive and expressive language
Nativist PerspectiveNativist Perspective
Language is an inborn human trait All children have capacity to learn
language Language is a biological adaptation Language is a biological adaptation Children learn the deep and surface
structure of their language . Syntax is focal point of this
perspective
Image by tiarescott
Cognitive Development PerspectiveCognitive Development Perspective
Cognition and language are interconnected
Language maturation for all humans follows a o a u a s o ows a predictable sequence
Behaviorist PerspectiveBehaviorist Perspective
Language is a learned skills Language develop can be nurtured Positive reinforcement prompt language
Interactionist PerspectiveInteractionist Perspective
Language and cognitive development are linked
Children learn language through interactions with peoplete act o s w t peop e
Adults scaffold language learning by modeling language slightly above the level in which children independently use language.
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Brain DevelopmentBrain Development
Zero to Three Baby Brainhttp://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/brain-development/baby-brain-map.htmlhttp://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_key_brain_quiz
Take Away from theoristsTake Away from theoristsNoam Chomsky
Lev Vygotsky
Jean Piaget
B. F. Skinner
Processing Language involvesProcessing Language involves• Auditory processing
• Comprehension
• Muscle movement
• Formulating thoughts into speech production
5 Aspects of Language Knowledge5 Aspects of Language Knowledge
Phonetic Semantic Syntactic Morphemic Morphemic Pragmatic
Image by Guiding Steps Academy
PhoneticPhonetic
Phonetic knowledge refers to knowledge about sound-symbol relations in a language.
Otto 2010
Image by Shae Hazelton
Semantics KnowledgeSemantics Knowledge
Semantic Knowledge refers to the word labels that specify concepts and also to the semantic networks, or schemata, that represent the interrelations between pconcepts.
Otto 2010
http://psychology.about.com/od/sindex/g/def_schema.htm
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Schematic view of ballSchematic view of ball
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SyntaxSyntax
Morphemic KnowledgeMorphemic Knowledge
The smallest unit of meaning in a language is called a morpheme.
Two types of morphemes◦ Free morphemes can be used alone as words Free morphemes can be used alone as words
example: house, turtle, book◦ Bound morphemes must be attached to a free
morphemes for example: the final –s houses, the ly – slowly, and the ing- booking
Otto 2010
Pragmatic KnowledgePragmatic Knowledge
The knowledge or awareness of how to use language appropriately in different settings and situations represents pragmatic knowledge. p g g
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Critical periodsCritical periods Phonetic knowledge birth to 10 years old Syntactic and morphemic knowledge birth
to puberty Vocabulary and pragmatic knowledge do not
appear to be limited by a critical period Semantic knowledge occur throughout life.
Image by Jason Dunn
Critical Environmental FactorsCritical Environmental Factors
Adult Child Interactions◦ Eye contact and shared referencing◦ Communication loops◦ Child directed speechp◦ Verbal mapping
Image by Jason Dunn
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Critical Environmental FactorsCritical Environmental Factors◦ Questioning◦ Linguistic scaffolding◦ Expansion or recasting◦ Mediation
Image by Jason Dunn
Reflection on learningReflection on learning
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