Foundations of Language Development

List of Contributors

Foreword

Preface

Contents of Volume 2

I. Preliminaries


1. Language

Communication in Animals and in Man

Hypotheses as to the Origins of Language

The History of Ideas Underlying Thinking and Speech

Language as a Function of the Brain

Linguistics and Semiology

The Inadequacy of Verbal Symbols as Tools of Thought

The Future of Language

References


2. The Concept of Language Differentiation

The Nature of Language

Relations and Computations

Continuities as Proper Psychological and Physiological Correlates

Linguistic Categories Are Relationships; They Are Definable Only Contextually

Semantic and Syntactic Properties Have a Common Origin in Ontogeny

Differentiation in the Growth of Vocabulary

Conclusion

References


3. Some Problems in Linguistic Theory


4. The Heuristic Principle in the Perception, Emergence, and Assimilation of Speech

Psycholinguistic Rules and Plans

Alternative Approaches

References

II. Natural History


5. A Zoologist's View of Some Language Phenomena with Particular Emphasis on Vocal Learning

Introduction

The Comparative Analysis of Vocal Communication

The Role of Learning in Vocal Ontogeny

Predispositions Brought to the Task of Vocal Learning

The Origins of Vocal Learning

Why Did Not Other Primates Learn to Speak?

The Neural Substrate of Vocal Behavior

Summary

References


6. Brain Development in Relation to Language

Shortcomings of Linguistic Analysis

From Neurogenotype to Neurophenotype

Functional Regulation in the Developing Cerebral Cortex

Synaptic Stability and Lability

Synaptic Disconnection, Reconnection, and Malconnection

Conclusion

References


7. Myelogenetic Correlates of the Development of Speech and Language

Introduction

Myelogenesis of the Visual and Acoustic Pathways

Myelogenetic Correlates of the Development of Speech and Language

Acknowledgements

References


8. The Ontogeny of Cerebral Dominance in Man

Introduction

The Development of Handedness

The Lateralization of Speech

Specific Educational Backwardness

Conclusions

References

III. Ontogeny


9. Theories of Phonological Development

Introduction

Requirements for a Theory of Phonological Development

Behaviorist Theories

Structuralist Theories

Natural Phonology Theory

Prosodic Theory

Conclusions

Bibliography


10. Phonemicization and Symbolization in Language Development

Introduction

Crying

Development of Phonatory-Articulatory-Auditory Mechanisms During the Period of Babbling as One Kind of Circular Reaction

Reorganization of Babbling Phonatory-Articulatory-Auditory Mechanisms and Their Application to Language

Development of Phonemicization and Symbolization

References


11. Early Semantic Development in Child Language

Introduction

Context and Meaning of Early Utterances

Performative Structures

Optional Semantic Mechanisms

Conclusion

References


12. Grammatical Development—The First Steps

The Nature of the Child's Early Utterances

The Nature of Word Order Rules

Word Classes

Learning Mechanisms

References


13. The Role of Cognitive Structures in Language Acquisition

Introduction: Cognitive and Linguistic Development

Cognitive Structures

Representation

Meaning

Grammar

Language Acquisition

An Experimental Approach

References


14. Learning How to Mean

Introduction

Phase I: Functional Origins

Phase II: The Transition

Phase III : Into Language

Summary of Functional Development

Conclusion

References


15. Cross-Linguistic Similarities at Two Stages of Syntactic Development

Introduction

Plan of Analysis

Early Stage I

Late Stage I

Summary

References


16. On the Nature of Talk to Children

Structural Characteristics of Input

Feedback Characteristics of Input

Input from Adults Versus Input from Children

References


17. The Early Development of the Mother Tongue

Evidence for Universal Sequences

Determinants of Order of Acquisition

What Impels Development?

Environmental Assistance

References


18. Cognitive Processes and Language Ability in the Severely Retarded

Introduction

Learning and Language in the Retarded

Concluding Observations

References


19. Some Aspects of Language in Various Forms of Senile Dementia (Comparisons with Language in Childhood)

Introduction

Language Disturbances Due to Memory Failure

Disturbances in the Use and Function of Language

Semantic and Syntactic Language Disturbances Closely Correlated with the Subject's Operational Level

Language Disturbances Clinically Resembling Those of Aphasia Due to Circumscribed Lesions

Verbal Stereotypy and Iteration Appearing in Cases of Neurological Disorganization

Summary and Conclusions

References

Subject Index