For human beings are able to communicate with each other using not only signs, but especially with their linguistic competence, it is interesting for linguists to find out general rules being automatically applied. These rules allow the speaker to utter messages in a precise and elaborated way adapted to all kinds of situations.
The present study is aimed at delivering an approach to syntactic regularities within the children’s acquisition of language. First some theoretical and generally witnessed information about language and language acquisition will be outlined assuring a global understanding. Then, the second part of the theoretical analysis will deal with three main processes in the acquisition of syntax as an important influence within the child’s linguistic development and its ability to communicate with its environment. It will be described how the language learner becomes more and more competent by differentiating among syntactic categories, such as word classes.
Some regularities within children’s syntactic capacities will be considered more in detail in the last chapter where representative examples from pivot-open grammar, questions, passive voice and not to forget negation do support the already mentioned theoretical elements. Children’s utterances are investigated in order to find out how they react in a particular situation in a grammatical way, as correctly as they have understood the rules of syntax.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical Approaches to the Acquisition of Language and Syntax
- General Aspects
- Three Processes in the Acquisition of Syntax
- Imitation and Reduction
- Imitation with Expansion
- Induction of the Latent Structure
- Three topical investigations of children's syntactic capacities
- Pivot-open Grammar
- Passive Sentences
- Questions
- Negation
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study examines syntactic regularities in the acquisition of language by children. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of theoretical approaches to language acquisition and syntax, focusing on the key processes involved in the development of grammatical competence. The study then explores specific examples of children's syntactic abilities in various grammatical areas.
- Theoretical foundations of language acquisition
- Processes involved in acquiring syntax
- Analysis of children's syntactic capacities
- Syntactic regularities in children's language development
- The role of imitation and generalization in syntax acquisition
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides an overview of the study's objectives and discusses the importance of understanding how children acquire language. It emphasizes the role of syntactic regularities in language development.
Chapter 2 delves into theoretical approaches to language acquisition and syntax. It discusses general aspects of language and explores three key processes involved in acquiring syntax: imitation and reduction, imitation with expansion, and the induction of latent structure.
Chapter 3 investigates specific examples of children's syntactic abilities. It examines children's use of pivot-open grammar, passive sentences, questions, and negation. The chapter provides insights into how children develop and apply grammatical rules in their language production.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of this study include language acquisition, syntax, children's language development, grammatical competence, imitation, generalization, pivot-open grammar, passive sentences, questions, negation, theoretical approaches, and linguistic analysis.
- Citation du texte
- M. A. Anja Weber (Auteur), 2002, An analysis of syntactic regularities in children's acquisition of language, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/9311
