L1 ACQUISITION

First Language Acquisition



First Language Acquisition

Language Learning Process and Development in Child

Language learning is most commonly neglected by the adults until they realize the need to learn it (O'Grady, 2005, p.1).Process of language learning is the most important task for the researchers as it assists in providing the better solution in the process of second language learning. This requires researchers' attention towards various aspects of the language learning of a child such as; initial vocabulary, words and phrases. Development of phrases and syntax, later adopted with the advanced lexical structures like morphology and semantics (Brown & Fraser1963). It is also noticed during the research that there are various other factors which influence the process of language learning. The environment and motivation is the most important factor noticed during the process of language learning. The proper understanding and learning of first language acquisition at the childhood stage can be learns on the basis of the proper lexical and syntactic structure. There are various system for the understanding of this process. The most successful is the system of data collection. The most recommended system is the special system for the production of management of the proper system. One of the most recommended systems is the recording and using of the transcripts for this purpose. It is provided that there are various systems which are consider as very helpful in proper understanding of first language acquisition process. For this purpose there are various tools for the management and collection of chats are available. The use of audio and video resources is best means for the collection of data (MacWhinney 2000).

Approximate Age Range and the Stage of Development at the Time of Recording

There are two transcripts provided for the analysis of the language learning process of the child at different stages of its development. In the first transcript the language is very simple at lexical level and contains mostly morphemes. This reveals that it the age of child must be 1-2 years. In this early stage of language development it is the early stage of semantic and grammatical development (O'Grady, 2005). It is the stage at which child learns the basic linguistic skills like using simple morphemes like “Yellow”(transcript 1, line 25) or 'coming'(transcript 1, line 29). The grammatical development is also observed as the use of article 'a' is there. “a green”(transcript 1, line 11) the use of adjectives and other basic grammatical structure is also very clear 'blue Daddy'(transcript 1, line 63).

Transcript provides much developed linguistic structure as it contains the basic development of the grammatical structure. This reveals the child is at the later developmental stage of language and the age of child must be around 3-4 years. For example there is use of simple sentences like 'he climb up the hill' (transcript 2, line 107). This is the most important stage in the linguistic development of child for example; frequency of using “maybe” is 17 times in the second transcript.

Transcript 1

Transcript 2

Lexical elements

125

84

Morphemes

73

68

Syntactic elements ...