The way how children acquire language is still not clearly and satisfactory answered. Various theses have emerged since researchers have been started getting interested in how children acquire language. In the following context the language development which children run through is closer illuminated while a particular emphasis is put on the possible interdependence between language acquisition -thelanguage output-and the linguistic environment children are exposed to -thelanguage input.Probably everyone has once noticed that very commonly adults change their way of speaking when conversing to young children. Among linguists this phenomenon is known asmothereseand reason for several different hypothesis about how children acquire language. On the surface one might wonder what could be the sense of that speech adaptation. One could assume that it is just a process that naturally belongs to upbringing and teaching of children.
But this seems not to sufficiently answer the question how children acquire language. As there are more aspects which are involved in language acquisition this essay is restricted tomothereseand its possible connection with language acquisition.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Language acquisition
- Prelinguistical phase
- The phonological development
- Motherese
- Definition
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the relationship between motherese and language acquisition in young children. It aims to shed light on the potential interdependence between linguistic input and language output during early development.
- The stages of language acquisition in children
- The role of motherese in language development
- The characteristics of motherese in different linguistic domains
- The possible functions of motherese in facilitating language acquisition
- The impact of motherese on the child's phonological development
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This section introduces the essay's focus on the relationship between motherese and language acquisition in young children. It highlights the ongoing debate about the factors influencing language development and emphasizes the importance of the linguistic environment.
- Language acquisition: This chapter provides an overview of the different stages of language acquisition according to Grimm (1998), with a particular focus on the child's phonological development.
- Prelinguistical phase: This chapter explores the prelinguistical phase of language development, which begins during pregnancy and continues until the child's first one-word utterances. It highlights the importance of the child's exposure to verbal language and its components, even before birth.
- The phonological development: This chapter describes the various stages of phonological development, from cooing and babbling to the emergence of first words and two-word utterances. It outlines the progression of the child's phonetic abilities.
- Motherese: This chapter defines motherese as a term used to describe the way adults adapt their speech when talking to young children. It examines the various characteristics of motherese in phonetic, lexical, semantic, syntactic, and conversational aspects.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on the key concepts of language acquisition, motherese, child-directed speech, phonological development, and the interaction between linguistic input and output in early childhood. The analysis draws upon research findings and theories from various linguists to explore the role of motherese in facilitating language acquisition.
- Quote paper
- Sonja Sickert (Author), 2005, What is 'Motherese' and how important is it for language acquisition?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/62735
