Language isn't just
one long list of
memorised
sentences
Children apply grammar
rules to their language
Based his ideas on Chomsky
WUGS
test
Chomsky
Language Aquisition Device (LAD)
Children are born with
an innate knowledge of
language
They already know
linguistic rules
E.g. Particularly with verbs;
adding an '-ed' inflection onto
the final of the word to turn
the infinitive into the past
tense participle
As the language is heard, the baby
works out a grammatical set of
rules from what they have observed
Humanistic
Nature
Jean Piaget
Cognitivism
Nature
The sensorimotor stage
Annotations:
Lasts until 2 years old. Language skills, at this stage, are mainly physical, the baby experiments making sounds with their mouth. In the process, they imitate sounds that their parents have made and learn in which context they should be used.
The preoperational stage
Annotations:
2-7 years. Child talks constantly but most of what they say does not need to be said out loud.
Egocentrism
When children become
involved in their own bubble
and do not realise that
people are observing them
The formal operational stage
Annotations:
12+ years. Can use language to express and debate abstract theoretical concepts
The concrete operational stage
Annotations:
7-12 years. Child can only deal with concrete and specific facts through language instead of abstract concepts.
Bruner
Interactionalist
Nurture
Language
Aquisition Support
System (LASS)
Parents use pictures and
books to help their children
understand language and get
involved in conversation
1. Gaining attention
2. Query
3. Label
4. Feedback
Skinner
Behaviourist
Nurture
Children immitate
their parents/carers
Language is conditioned
into a person through a
series of positive
reinforcement and
punishment
Vygotsky
More
Knowledgable
Others
(MKOs)
Halliday
Instrumental
Annotations:
Language used to fulfill a need on the part of the speaker. Mostly related with food, drink and comfort.
Regulatory
Annotations:
Language used to influence the behaviour of others. Usually concerned with persuading/commanding/ requesting someone to do something you want
Interactional
Annotations:
Language used to develop social relationships and ease the process of interaction. Concerned withthe phatic dimension of talk.
Imaginative
Annotations:
Language used to explore the imagination. May also accompany play as children explore imaginary worlds.
Heuristic
Annotations:
Language used to learn and explore the environment. This may be quesitons and answers or the running commentary that accompanies children's play
Personal
Annotations:
Language used to express the personal preferences and identity of the speaker. Sometimes referred to as the "Here I am function" - children announcing themselves to the world.