1. REPORTER: LOURISE ARCHIE C. SUBANG BSED I - A
CHAPTER 3
NATURAL HISTORY OF LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
I. Question: How did really the language of a child developed?
Ans. There is no definite or exact sequence on how a child can acquire language. But
since the birth of child psychology many had developed theories or studies that led to some
information on how we as children acquire language. As the studies were compiled and revised,
it eventually formed a framework basis for the study of Language Development.
 Traditionally language development depends upon the principle of reinforcement. The
principle of reinforcement is a psychological concept based on the idea that the
consequences of an action will influence future behavior. Rewarding behavior is
considered reinforcement, because it teaches the subject that the behavior is desired,
and encourages the subject to repeat it. Punishing a behavior, on the other hand,
teaches the subject that the behavior is not desired, and should not be repeated.
 Other learning theorists however believed that language is acquired by imitation.
 Noam Chomsky – (American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, political activist,
author, and lecturer) rather proposes the nativist theory of language acquisition as the
basis of how language is learned. He states that children have an innate Language
Acquisition Device or LAD. This enables them to learn a language early and quickly. His
theory was supported by the concept of the universality of language that use he same
set of sounds and combinations. Though some theorists don’t agree with him. Its
because that there were clear evidence of the variations of grammatical and syntactic
rules. Also it ignores the social context in which language is acquired.
 Modern theorists clings to the interactionist view of language is learned. They say that
children are biologically ready for language but requires extensive experience with
spoken language for ample development. Acquiring language is always an active and
interactive. This involves the ffg.
Formulating
Testing
Evaluating languages’ rules
 Jerome Bruner ( American psychologist who has contributed to cognitive
psychology and cognitive learning theory in educational psychology, as well as to history
and to the general philosophy of education) one of the modern theorists. He also point
out the critical roles in which the parents and other caregivers have in the language
acquisition process. He proposes the use of Language Acquisition Support System
(LASS). This refers to the importance of a child’s social support network, which works
in conjunction with innate mechanisms to encourage or suppress language
development.

2. THE ANTECEDENTS OF THE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
What do you mean of the word “antecedent”?
It means that which precedes or goes before. So therefore, antecedents of the
language development talks about the ways or means which help the child to prepare
him/her in learning the language. Just like in going o school you prepare yourself. Now
here are the following devises that makes up the antecedents.
PSUEDODIALOGUES – this is one of the early training devices. Characterized by the give
and take of the conversation between the child and the mother or
other person. Adults maintain the flow of conversation. Example:
oooglie oooglie googlie googlie
PROTODECLARATIVES – the child uses gestures to make a description about the
statement.
PROTOIMPERATIVES – the child still uses gestures but these gestures are used to let
someone do for him/her. Make statements about the things and
let someone do it for him/her.
HISTORY OF THE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Traditionally language development
depends upon the principle of
reinforcement.
Other learning theorists believed that
language is acquired by imitation.
Noam Chomsky - rather proposes the
nativist theory of language acquisition as
the basis of how language is learned.
Modern theorists clings to the
interactionist view of language is learned.
Under the modern theorists is Jerome Bruner - . He also
point out the critical roles in which the parents and other
caregivers have in the language acquisition process. He
proposes the use of Language Acquisition Support
System (LASS).

3. THE ANTECEDENTS OF THE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
ANTECEDENT
means that which precedes or goes before.
So therefore, antecedents of the language development talks
about the ways or means which help the child to prepare
him/her in learning the language.
FORMS/TYPES OF ANTECEDENTS
PSUEDODIALOGUES – this is PROTODECLARATIVES PROTOIMPERATIVES
one of the early training – the child uses – the child still uses
devices. Characterized by the gestures to make a gestures but these
give and take of the description about the gestures are used to
conversation between the child statement. let someone do for
and the mother or other him/her. Make
person. Adults maintain the statements about the
flow of conversation. things and let
Example: oooglie oooglie someone do it for
googlie googlie. him/her.
INTERNET REFERENCES:
www.wisegeek.com
www.teachnology.com
www.google.com
BOOK REFERENCES:
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT (SUBJECT TEXTBOOK)