Children's language development Key Terms

Phonology

The study of the sound system of a language, including the rules for combining sounds.

Semantics

The branch of linguistics concerned with meaning, including the meanings of words, phrases, and sentences.

Phonology

The study of the sound system of a language and the rules that govern sound combinations.

Prosody

The rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech, which can affect meaning and comprehension.

Discourse

Written or spoken communication; the structure and flow of language in conversation or text.

Semantics

The study of meaning in language, including the meanings of words, phrases, and sentences.

Lexicon

The complete set of words in a language or a person's vocabulary.

Overextension

When a child uses a word too broadly, applying it to more objects than it should.

Lexical Development

The growth of a child's vocabulary and their ability to understand and use words.

Semantic Mapping

A visual representation of the relationships between words and their meanings.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

Morphology

The study of the structure and form of words in a language, including prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

Pragmatics

The study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in language.

Semantics

The branch of linguistics concerned with meaning.

Pragmatics

The study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in language.

Discourse

Written or spoken communication that extends beyond single sentences.

Phonology

The study of the sound systems of languages and the rules that govern their combination.

Pragmatics

The branch of linguistics concerned with language in use and the contexts in which it is used.