Introduction
Language Development is an important part of mental or cognitive development like any other development like memory, imagination, reasoning, thinking and problem – solving etc.
According to Hurlock, the ability to communicate is language. Speaking is a part of language. Sounds or uttered words are used to convey meaning. Not every sound made by a human is speech. Speech is only for the purpose of conveying meaning, not only are they used but they also preserve the message to evoke action in others.
Theories of the Origin of Formal Language
1. The Yum-Yum Theory:
According to this theory, the tongue is related to the body, which is related to the subtle sound of mime.
2. The Babble-Luck Theory:
Its founder is Thorndike. Primitive man used to keep babbling while working. Coincidentally, one of his murmurings became related to a particular situation. This connection took the form of a habit. This is how primitive language originated.
Organs of Language Development
The knowledge and development of language depend on the use of various body parts and mental qualities:
1. Understanding language by listening through the ears.
2. Sound is produced with the help of various parts of the mouth.
3. Writing the language with the help of fingers.
4. Speaking while doing it.
5. Recognizing letters and alphabets through eyes. Eyes and other mental powers are used for the practice of writing.
Development of Language during Different Stages
Development of Language in Infancy
1. Crying: The first sound that a child produces is crying. The child cries due to hunger, thirst, noise, bright light, fear and fatigue, etc.
2. Babbling: This is the stage of babbling (meaningless sounds). It starts from the third month of the child and continues till the 8th month. This is mainly called cooing or speaking like a pigeon.
First of all, the child babbles vowel sounds like a, aa, i, ee, jau, etc. Later, consonants come along with it like – ma, pa, ba, ddhi, etc. Babbling gives pleasure to the child. This stage depends on the child’s speech organs.
3. Body movement and gestures: Before understanding language, the child shows physical gestures to express his need or desire. If the food is too hot or too cold, he shakes his head or takes a turn.
4. Speaking: In speaking, the child gradually acquires proficiency in the following:
i. Comprehension of the Speech of others: This understanding refers to understanding the meaning of the words spoken by people. This stage is called the stage of passive vocabulary or dictionary. At the age of 12 months, the child starts understanding words like wait, go, bring, etc. Radio and television increases the child’s comprehension.
ii. Building of Vocabulary:
- General Vocabulary: First of all, the child learns important and simple questions. First of all, the child learns nouns like parents, then he learns verbs like going, eating, playing, etc.
By the age of two years, the child learns adjectives and adverbs like good, bad, hot, cold, etc. and here, there, where, etc. While learning pronouns, the child uses ‘I’ more often instead of ‘you’ because he remains in a generally focused state.
- Specific Vocabulary: From the age of 2 years, the child starts learning specific vocabulary.
1. Number Vocabulary: By the age of 2 to 3 years, a child learns to count without understanding, hence, it is called Parrot Speech.
2. Colour Vocabulary: Knowledge of colours like red, yellow and blue starts.
3. Money Vocabulary: By the age of 4 or 5 years, knowledge of coins and rupees is acquired.
4. Time Vocabulary: By the age of four, knowledge of morning, afternoon and evening is achieved and by the age of five, knowledge of weather, season, year, month and day is achieved.
5. Etiquette Vocabulary: The child starts knowing the words related to politeness, like I am sorry.
6. Slang Vocabulary: Children also use slang. Slang words, which are not found in the dictionary, sometimes cause anger in the listeners.
7. Secret Vocabulary: Before adolescence, children also have knowledge of secret vocabulary.
iii. Sentence Formation:
- At the age of 1-2 years, a child’s language consists of one or two words. When a child says “milk,” it means “I want milk.” Later, the child gradually uses 1-3 words. First, the child uses words related to nouns and later uses verbs.
- A child of two to two and a half years starts speaking complete sentences with simple structure.
- By the age of 4-5 years, the child starts using complex and mixed sentences.
- A child of 9-10 years is able to compose all types of sentences.
Due to greater cognitive development, girls are ahead of boys in sentence composition.
iv. Correct Pronunciation:
- The child’s pronunciation improves from 18 months.
- By three years, pronunciation improves significantly. The child’s pronunciation ability increases by imitating others. If others pronounce incorrectly, the child’s pronunciation also becomes incorrect. Correct pronunciation is necessary for correct pronunciation development.
- By adolescence, pronunciation development is complete and cannot be changed easily.
v. Development of Reading and Writing:
The development of speaking ability occurs indirectly, while reading ability develops directly. First, the child learns to read and then write. Writing requires the child’s mental ability, hands, and eyes together.
Language Development in Childhood and Adolescence
1. Complexity: At this stage the child’s language becomes complex. The child uses language to solve his problems.
2. Large number of vocabulary: By the age of twelve, the vocabulary of a child increases to 10,000 words.
3. Longer Response: With increasing age, the child’s answers become longer. Additionally, the child uses nouns less frequently and pronouns, adjectives, and verbs more frequently.
4. Increased Questions: With increasing age, the child asks more questions like what, why, who, and how. The child also asks questions related to fear and anxiety. Furthermore, complex questions emerge, such as those about God, death, love, and sex.
5. Improvement in Various Fields: There is significant improvement in the child’s listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities.
According to Crow and Crow, the stages of language development are:
1. Sound and physical gestures
2. Babbling
3. Use of common terminology
4. Use of one-word sentences
5. Combination of words in sentences
6. Use of reading skills
7. Mastery in all means of communication, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Factors Affecting Language Development:
1. Health: Physical and mental well-being impact speech development.
2. Maturity: Emotional and cognitive maturity influence language skills.
3. Intelligence: Cognitive abilities affect language comprehension and usage.
4. Social and Economic Status: Socioeconomic factors influence language exposure and development.
5. Family Environment and Mutual Relations: Supportive family dynamics foster healthy language growth.
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