Blog #5: Language Acquistion

 Blog #5: Language Acquisition

(Lemetyinen).

Introduction:

Language acquisition is the process used to learn and comprehend a given language, either as our native tongue or as a second learned language, making one multilingual. This entry will explain language acquisition, the stages of this process, a couple of the theories behind language development and acquisition, as well as the statistics that inform this process. Sources include Alexa Romberg and Jenny Saffran's "Statistical learning and acquisition", "Language Acquistion Theory" by Henna Lemetyinen, and "Language Acquistion: An Overview" by Kristina Robertson and Karen Ford. 

Robertson and Ford's article was one of the first articles available on Google and offers an overview on the topic of language acquisition. In contrast, Lemetyinen's article was found after searching through various web pages, but focuses on the theories behind the titular process. Finally, Romberg and Saffran's scholarly, academic article was found almost incidentally, but it offers the concept of "Statistical learning", a principle that will be explained below.

Summary

The language we first learn becomes our native tongue and is a process everyone goes through. If we learn a second language and become bilingual, then that is our second-language acquisition. But how does this process even occur? Babies listen to sounds around them, slowly begin to imitate them, and eventually start producing words (Robertson and Ford). However, second-language acquisition is a six-stage process beginning with a learner taking in the language silently, and after six weeks, they begin to speak using "short words and sentences" but still mostly listen as others speak that language; as speech becomes more frequent, in the third stage learners forms longer sentences relying on "context and social cues" while their vocabulary gradually increases (Robertson and Ford). In the following stages, speech becomes fairly fluent with minimal errors, then communication in that language becomes fluent and the individual is able to speak efficiently with some gaps in their vocabulary, before in the final stage being fluently and successful in communicating their second language. 

The difference between learning and acquiring a language (Robertson & Ford).

Statistical learning is the discovery of how patterns input and affect a child's learning, claiming that infants' language-learning is based on "pattern perception" and not grammar. Infants, supposedly, detect and "compute" elements adults and parents place in their environment and process them to "facilitate" their own learning (Romberg and Saffran 2). Apparently, infants are rapidly acquiring their native languages, regardless of how complicated the language structure is. Researchers agree that statistical learning is important in language acquisition, with patterns such as "frequency of words" being called a key aspect of statistical learning that allows children to mimic and learn the patterns they witness around them (Romberg and Saffran 4). 

Finally, some theories behind language acquisition include the Behavorist Theory, which was originated by Burrhus Frederic Skinner, who suggested child "learn words and grammar" by mimicking the "speech and "positive feedback", or encouragement, they receive (Lemetyinen). Therefore, according to Skinner, if a child says a word and their mother smiles and gives them a treat, the child will attempt to continue to impress their parents with language. Meanwhile, Noam Chomsky theorized that humans have a biological capacity for language that allows them to acquire it, and that the brain "is receptive to linguistic input", making a child's language learning efficient (Lemetyinen). However, this theory did not incorporate social interactions from parents or others in learning. Modern research suggests children are sensitive to "patterns", which is basically what statistical language acquisition is.

Critical Analysis

Robertson and Ford's "Language Acquisiton: An Overview" is incredibly educational. Not only does it thoroughly describe the six stages of acquisition, the article mentions useful instructional strategies for ELL students in the classroom. As it relates to the topic of acquisition, this source is an excellent choice that can only be described as lacking in its visual elements, except for one image. This may detract some readers who may find the source not engaging. Lemetyinen's "Language Acquisition Theory" is a more digestible, easy-to-follow article from the field of child psychology. Describing the psychology behind which humans acquire this ability to communicate and understand words, the article has a few visual elements to engage readers, and describes the theories behind language acquistion, including Skinner's Behavorist Theory, Chomsky's Theory of Language Development, and how modern research has suggested children use morphemes, small grammatical units, to acquire words. As it solely focuses on these theories and research, its scope isn't as big or general as the previous source.

Romberg and Saffran's "Statistical learning and language acquisition" is an academic article, which immediately increases its credibility and reliability. Coming from the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, this is arguably the most credible source I've ever used in my blog. Additionally, the authors themselves cited 71 references, which further supports their arguments. However, I believe the academic structure of this source may alienate some people and be somewhat too complicated to understand or find some interest in.

Connection to Coursework

This connects directly to what we've learned in class during module 3 and from chapter 3 of our textbook: Language acquisition. We learned about the stages of language acquisition from cooing to babbling all the way to learning over 50,000 words. I found it interesting how native speakers learn a language, retain it, how we can learn a language that is not our native tongue, and how we can lose a language. I figured it would be interesting to write about this in my blog, and see how other sources write and explain this process. Not only could this enhance my already formed knowledge, maybe it could contrast or alter what I've already learned about linguistic acquisition. If nothing else, it was already a field of study that I'm familiar with.

Personal Reflection

In my own career as an educator, it might not be necessary for me to educate students on language acquisition since most ELA teachers will only need to go over texts, useful strategies, and writing skills. However, as a learner, this information has indeed enhanced yet also complicated and challenged my understanding of language acquisition. Specifically, statistical language acquisition is a complex study that proposes humans develop their ability to communicate based on learning "mechanisms." The authors admitted this was a field of study still developing, so I am somewhat confused on the matter. Beyond this, learning about second language acquisition and acquisition theories has benefited me as a learner. If I were to ever become a professor, I feel that I could describe the basic process of language acquisition, even as a high school teacher if I were ever asked. 

Citations

Lemetyinen, Henna. “Language Acquisition Theory in Psychology.” Simply Psychology, 7 Sept. 2023,         www.simplypsychology.org/language.html. 

Roberts, Kristina, and Karen Ford. “Language Acquisition: An Overview.” Colorín Colorado, 18 Feb.             2020, www.colorincolorado.org/article/language-acquisition-overview. 

Romberg, Alexa R, and Jenny R Saffran. “Statistical learning and language acquisition.” Wiley                       interdisciplinary reviews. Cognitive science vol. 1,6 (2010): 906-914. doi:10.1002/wcs.78