Introduction to child language acquisition

In a nutshell

Language learning is an innate process. All children learn in the same way, regardless of the language their parents speak. In this summary, the features that influence the language learning process will be explored.

Who teaches children to speak?

Children learn language through interaction, not only with their parents and other adults, but also with other children. They normally grow up surrounded by conversation and therefore acquire the language that is used around them. This also means that a child can simultaneously acquire more than one language, provided that they regularly interact with speakers of those languages.

What may affect a child's language development?

Language acquisition may be influenced by the personality of the child, their family context, their intellectual development, their exposure to language and culture and their muscular control. 

Personality

Children's personalities have a genetic basis that is shaped by different experiences, interactions and emotions. These contribute to the formation of their own identity. A child whose feelings are validated and listened to is more likely to be more communicative and curious about using language as a way of expressing themselves.

Family context

When a child starts talking, linguistic and communicative strategies are often used by parents to show them how they can express their needs, emotions and ideas through language. A stimulating and communicative environment promotes healthy language development in a child. However, if the family environment lacks in these areas, the natural course of the child's development will be negatively conditioned.

Intellectual development 

Impairment related to intellectual development can be identified in delayed language learning between the ages of 18 months and 4 years. This can be attributed to inherited dispositions, brain damage or unfavourable environmental conditions, especially those of a linguistically unstimulating family environment. However, when correctly diagnosed, appropriate treatment can be provided to encourage the proper development of speech in the child, avoiding negative consequences in the future.

Exposure to language and culture

Children need to be exposed to the relationships between people, objects and situations, in order to acquire the uses of their native language. Every concept is given a particular use by the culture in which the child grows up in. The way to understand and convey these different meanings is only achieved by the child's exposure to these situations.

Muscular control

The first phonemes that are learned are pronounced with the lips. Then, children start to make guttural sounds. As they grow, they start to develop movements with their tongue, so they pronounce the first syllables and then, the first words. Why do some children mispronounce the 'r' and 'l' sounds? This is due to muscle strength problems. Sounds that require great muscular strength in the tongue take longer to learn.

Is the learning process of deaf children different?

It is not only differences in circumstances that will affect a child's speech - physical attributes play their part too. A child may be born deaf or develop a hearing impairment, but this does not prevent them from acquiring language. The only difference is that their way of communicating is based on sight instead of sound.