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Language Development

Language Development

Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...

Language and Cognition

Language and Cognition

Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.

Language

Language

Language is a unique communication system that uses words and systematic rules to organize and transmit information. Unlike other forms of communication, which may involve postures, movements, odors, or vocalizations, language relies on symbols and grammar. This makes human communication distinct from that of other species, who also communicate but do not use language in the same way humans do.
Corballis and Suddendorf (2007) and Tomasello and Rakoczy (2003) highlight the role of language in...

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

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Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...

Introduction to Language of Pathophysiology ll

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This lesson explores key terms that describe how diseases progress, their outcomes, and their distribution in populations.Diagnostic tests identify diseases and monitor treatment. These include blood and urine tests, biopsies, imaging (X-ray, MRI), and detection of infectious agents.Remission is a reduction or disappearance of symptoms.Exacerbation refers to the worsening of symptoms, such as increased wheezing during an asthma attack.A precipitating factor triggers an acute episode, while a...

Components of Language

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Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking IPL: Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism

Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking IPL: Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism

Published on: December 14, 2012

Research in Later Language Development: A Historical Perspective.

Marilyn Nippold¹

¹Communication Disorders and Sciences, https://ror.org/0293rh119University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.

Journal of Child Language

|April 17, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This review traces the history of later language development research since the 1940s. Understanding this research history aids current scientists and educators working with school-age individuals.

Keywords:

later language development school-age children and adolescents young adults

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Last Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking IPL: Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism

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Published on: December 14, 2012

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm

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Published on: May 15, 2019

Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations

Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations

Published on: July 1, 2015

Area of Science:

Linguistics
Developmental Psychology
Education

Background:

Later language development has been a subject of extensive research for over 80 years.
Significant knowledge has accumulated regarding language acquisition beyond the preschool stage.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a historical overview of research topics in later language development.
To aid current researchers and practitioners in understanding the evolution of the field.

Main Methods:

Literature review of research topics decade by decade from the 1940s to the present.
Synthesis of key themes and shifts in research focus over time.

Main Results:

Identifies distinct research trends and focal areas in later language development across different decades.
Highlights the continuity and evolution of inquiry into language skills in older children and adolescents.

Conclusions:

A historical perspective is crucial for advancing current research in later language development.
Knowledge of research history supports the practical application of findings by clinicians and educators.