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November 19, 2005
Baby Talk
It is intriguing how the chart that Nanette wanted us to fill out, comparing the length of time that a particular part of language would need to be changed like among lexicon, syntax, and pronunciation ties in directly with first language acquisition or baby talk. If you think about it, babies first learn words. They try to pronounce them, but more often than not, their pronunciation is inaccurate and sloppy. I find it hard, when I am babysitting a younger child, that I cannot understand what they are saying because of the jumbling of sounds that they are using to produce a certain word. The key here is that though they do not know how to articulate the word, they are still trying to do so. Then, when they master the pronunciation as they grow older, they can form sentences using syntax. In order to be a master of syntax, though, one has to learn and study it. This is exactly why changing syntax is so difficult. Everyone knows and uses the simple syntax because it is both innate and learned. Syntax rules allow people to speak to each other and understand. If English syntax is changed, the ability of everyone to communicate is destroyed. We need to keep consistency. From the example of babies, it is obvious that words can be changed easier because they are absorbed easier, and then pronunciation is the second aspect of language that these babies learn, which is a little harder to absorb. So, essentially, much of how language can be changed can be determined by first language acquisition, especially in babies. Very interesting! -Christina
Posted by lcisgancarz at November 19, 2005 12:25 AM
Comments
Exactly what I thought!
Posted by: Brenna at November 19, 2005 09:20 AM