Language development

Language development is a process that starts early in human life where a person goes onto acquiring language by learning it as it is spoken and by mimicry. Usually, language starts off as a remembrance of simple words without associated meaning, but as one ages, words acquire meaning and connections between words are formed. As one ages, sentences start to form as words are contructed together to create logical meaning. As a person gets older, new meanings and new associations are created and vocabulary increases as more words are learned.

Children use their faces, bodies, vocal cries and other preverbal vocalizations to communicate their wants, needs and dispositions. Even though most children will begin to vocalize and eventually verbalize at various ages and at different rates, they will learn their first language without conscious instructions from parents or caretakers. It is a seemingly effortless task that grows increasingly difficult with age.

There are a few different theories as to why and how children develop language. The most popular explanation is that language is acquired through imitation. However, this proves to be more of a folk tale than anything. The two most accepted theories in language development are psychological and functional. Psychological explanations explore the mental processes during children’s minds as they learn language. Functional explanations look at the social processes involved in learning the first language.

Works Cited Ideas Borrowed from: http://papyr.com/hypertextbooks/grammar/lgdev.htm#references