Focusing on the remarkable process of language acquisition, this thesis explores how humans rapidly develop their native language skills through stages that follow a similar timeline across different languages. It highlights the significance of this achievement in human development, drawing on research to underscore the universal aspects of language learning. The work reflects a deep understanding of first language acquisition within the context of American Studies and linguistics.
Seminar paper from the year 2013 in the subject English Language and
Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,3, (Anglistik/Amerikanistik),
course: First Language Acqisition, language: English, abstract: The first
chapter of this paper will deal with some theoretical background. The point of
view on language learning of Noam Chomsky, one of the most famous
representatives of the Nativist approach, will be shortly presented and
briefly compared to other approaches. In the subsequent chapter, it will be
explained what child-directed speech actually means and how important the role
of joint attention is in this context. Afterwards, some typical
characteristics will be taken into consideration in order to demonstrate the
extent of features when talking about child-directed speech. Important for
further explanation regarding the importance of child-directed is the
following chapter, which will focus on a study by Anne Fernald. This study
concentrates on infant's preferences to child-directed speech versus adult-
directed speech and was measured with the use of a specific head-turn
procedure, which will be explained in detail later on. After that, a second
study, which is about gender differences in child-directed speech, will be
examined. The authors of this study, Amye Warren-Leubecker and John Neil
Bohanon III, closely considered gender differences and the effects on child-
directed speech. Thus, on the basis of the above-mentioned procedure, the aim
of this paper is to balance reasons who confirm the view that child-directed
speech is necessary and supportive for the child in order to be able to learn
a language.
