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23 - Infant Word Learning and Emerging Syntax

from Part V - Language

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2020

By
Dani Levine ,
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek  and
Roberta Michnick Golinkoff
Edited by
Jeffrey J. Lockman  and
Catherine S. Tamis-LeMonda
Jeffrey J. Lockman
Affiliation:
Tulane University, Louisiana
Catherine S. Tamis-LeMonda
Affiliation:
New York University
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Summary

For centuries philosophers and scientists have puzzled over the meaning of words and the intricacies of grammar. How did the human species develop such a complex system that allowed us to work collaboratively and to share experiences – be it about the past or future? How did the species derive a system that allowed for optimal representation of the world in a way that also optimized quick communication among members of the species? Our language can mend conflicts, share grand ideas, and allow us to express and grow our everyday thoughts.

Keywords

Language developmentword learningsyntactic developmentinfant-directed speechsemantic bootstrappingsyntactic bootstrappingsyntaxphonologysemanticsprosodybrain development and languageSES and language developmentbilingual language development
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Infant Development
Brain, Behavior, and Cultural Context
 , pp. 632 - 660
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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