The Beginnings of Language

Crash Course In Linguistics

Language is a system of symbols and representations. We choose certain words that convey certain meanings for others who share the same patterns of speech and meaning. Concepts are thus embedded in utterances and sounds that we understand as complete words and phrases. They mean something to others because there is a system in place to match particular concepts to particular patterns of sounds. In order to truthfully communicate those concepts to others, we must acquire and adhere to the rules and structures that allow us to share an understanding of that matching.

Children's Guide to Linguistics

Try to imagine trying to understand the above concepts when you were 18 months old. It would seem rare that we could explain a linguistic theory to a small child and be understood.

However, children's language development occurs at a time when it would seem that they would be unable to understand complex linguistic theories.

Most children begin to speak between the ages of 18 months and two years. They are able to use lanuage, and to a large extent, use it correctly, in simple stages. And we can usually begin to understand their utterances at an early stage in their development.


Go on to Beginning Sounds to learn more about the process of developing language

Or listen to the experience of a young developer in Abigail's Words

Just don't miss the experts fighting it out in Behaviorism v Mentalism