Beth Slade Student ID- 104151313 EDU10002- Understanding Language & Literacy
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Swinburne University of Technology *
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10002
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Linguistics
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Jan 9, 2024
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Beth Slade
Student ID: 104151313
EDU10002: Understanding Language & Literacy
Phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic are the key components which are crucial in the development of children’s oral language. These key components are important as language is how children learn to communicate before they can speak words- through gestures, noises and cries. As children begin to learn oral language skill, they will have overcome a difficult system of words, sounds, grammar, and structural concepts to communicate with others through using verbal language. Language acquisition is noted through two main theories that will be discussed in this essay, the process in which children learn and develop language. The first theory is the Behaviorist theory researched by B. F Skinner, which proposes that children will learn language like any other skill through reinforcement and repetition (nurture). The second theory is the Nativist theory, by Nome Chomsky, which supports the idea that children are born with a natural
ability to learn their native language (nature). Through this essay, there will be examples of language learning which will demonstrate the key components from the two theories above and the role of the four key components of language development.
Language development involves grasping the four key components of oral language. The Phonological component of speech development is learned through the sound patterns of language, and also includes intonation, phonemes, and stress. (Fellowes and Oakley, 2014, p.47) The Syntactic component of language is the system of constructing sentences; this includes rules for arranging words into a sentence which will help both the speaker and the listener to understand what they are meaning/saying (Fellowes and Oakley, 2014, p.49). The Semantic component is all about the meaning of the individual word and the sentence structure, understanding words that have more than one meaning and understanding the two different categories for words (‘content’ and ‘function’.) (Fellowes and Oakley, 2014, p.50. The Pragmatic component is the ability to use language is many social and cultural settings, including
how words are said, what was said, facial gestures and eye contact (Fellowes and Oakley, 2014 p.52). Children use sound, gesture, and body language to communicate their needs and feelings from infancy (Campbell, 2005, p. 3-5), in the lead up to developing their oral language skills through mastering the four key components.
Beth Slade
Student ID: 104151313
EDU10002: Understanding Language & Literacy
B.F Skinner's behavioral theory research, emphasises how people interact with their environment. This plays a pivotal role in this theory which states that learning is predominately shaped by a baby's surroundings and the personal experiences of the people within these surroundings, highlighting that nurture plays a more dominant role in learning (University of Phoenix). Children require numerous opportunities to practise and develop their language skills. They should be helped to understand what can be accomplished through effective language use, and they should be given a variety of opportunities to use language in different social contexts to achieve different outcomes (Fellowes and Oakley, 2014). For example, when a caregiver interacts with baby during a nappy change routine. The caregiver will speak to the baby, talking about what actions they are taking and what they will be doing next, indicating to the baby through oral language. This is seen in outcome 5 of the early years learning framework “listen and respond to sounds and patterns in speech, stories and rhymes in context” (Community Child Care Co-operative Ltd, 2015). Skinner’s research also shows that babies respond to repetition and reinforcement (Khan Academy, 2017). Positive reinforcement is giving by way of a reward, including praise, treats or negative reinforcement is enforced by a unpleasant outcome. This can be explained at dinner time; if you eat all your vegetables, you get ice cream or if you don’t eat you vegetables then no ice cream for you.
The Nativist theory supports the idea that children are born with a natural ability to learn. Noam Chomsky (1975) implies that children are born with a set of rules in their head which he describes as “Universal Grammar”. “Universal Grammar” is the basis on which language is learned. Chomsky claims that if someone from another planet made their way to Earth, they would believe that only one language exists, while several other languages are similar. The reasoning is how easy the child unconsciously picks up language, tone, and accent from the mother’s tongue due the amount of time spent listening to these. Children have the basis of knowing words but are unable to construct the sentence in the correct order or formulate the whole sentence. For example, the child will say “Juice mummy” instead of “Mummy, juice” or “Mummy, can I please have some juice”. This is syntax, when the child is able to put two words together and make an incorrect sentence. Noam Chomsky (1975) also believed that children were
born with a Language Acquisition Device (LAD), which allowed humans to learn language
Beth Slade
Student ID: 104151313
EDU10002: Understanding Language & Literacy
(Khan Academy, 2017). Chomsky claimed that there was a ‘critical period’ or a ‘sensitive period’ which was from the ages 0-8 years. After the ‘critical period’ it was said that language cannot be learned in a natural fashion as it was too hard. Chomsky argued that the LAD was only
in use during the ‘critical period’ because once it was in use it was specifically designed to one’s language and it was unable to detect another language’s sound and grammar (Khan Academy, 2017).
Oral language is expressed through speech. It facilitates speech by using a system of signs sound patterns that create words to represent various objects, concepts, and actions. (Fellowes and Oakley p.44) As key language components are fused; the vocabulary is formed. This essay has shown both the behaviorist and naturist theories, discussing the differences between nature and nurture as infants begin their journey of oral language acquisition.
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Beth Slade
Student ID: 104151313
EDU10002: Understanding Language & Literacy
Reference List
Everyday learning about talking Campbell. J, 2005,
Community Child Care Co-operative Ltd. (2015). Early years learning framework practice based resources – Developmental milestones. https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2015/developmenta
l-milestones.pdf
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for the Council of Australian Governments [DEEWR]. (2009). Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. Canberra, ACT: Commonwealth of Australia. https://www.education.gov.au/child-care-package/resources/belonging-being-becoming-early-
years-learning-framework-australia
Janet, Fellowes,, & Oakley, Grace.
Language, Literacy And Early Childhood Education
. Available from: Bookshelf Online - Ref, (3rd Edition). Oxford University Press Australia & New
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https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/behavior/theories-personality/v/behavioral-theory
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/processing-the-environment/language/v/theories-
of-language-development
Beth Slade
Student ID: 104151313
EDU10002: Understanding Language & Literacy
https://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/capsules/outil_rouge06.html
https://www.scientific-editing.info/blog/the-nativist-theory/
https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/what-is-behaviorist-theory.html