LanguageA system of words and rules for combining words

to communicate thoughts and feelings

Components of language: Phonemes

Basic, smallest units of sound Individual sounds that letters make Most languages have 30-50 English has about 40

Components of language: Morphemes Smallest unit of language with meaning Can be words, prefixes, suffixes and compound

words

http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is-language.html

Grammar Rules for the combination and use of

words Syntax = combo of words to form phrases

& sentences Semantics = rules that govern the

meaning of words & sentences Proposed by Chomsky in the 1960s:

Surface Structure = the order of words in a sentence

Deep Structure = a representation of underlying meanings in sentences

See handout 8.15

Development of Language

Stages of development Cooing Babbling Single word stage Two-word stage

“telegraphic” Year 3…complex

sentencesTalking Twin Babies - PART 2 - OFFICIAL VIDEO.mp4

Learning Theory Conditioning &

imitation Focuses on the

role of modeling and rewards

Biological Basis Theory

Chomsky’s theory of innate language acquisition Genetic predisposition

to develop language Eric Lenneberg’s

Critical Period Hypothesis States that there is a

sensitive (critical) period for language development when learning a language is easier

Language Development

http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/language-acquisition.html

Special Pre-Primer Activity: try to read by learning a new language

Secret of the Wild Child videos