LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

Episode 1 ~

The concept of language acquisition came about through studies of how language actually emanates in an individual. Some scholars like Noam Chomsky, Bloomfield and the likes began studying how language came into existence, how language is developed in children.

These studies made them to come up with various theories explaining how language emanates. But one thing that is sure is that they all agree that children acquire language from their imminent language community. This implies that the language spoken often in the environment of the child is what the child acquires.

What then is Language Acquisition?

Language acquisition in its simplest definition is the process to which children develop language while growing up. A child acquires language naturally although with some help.

According to Noam Chomsky, the child is endowed with a device (Language Acquisition Device, LAD) that helps him/her to acquire language. Bloomfield suggested that the child does not just acquire language but must be exposed to a language community.

While the arguments remain in the field of Linguistics, the core fact is that Language in children is a product of divine/natural phenomenon aided with exposure to a language community (Josiah Egbilika).

How does it work? | Episode 2 (Next Week)

- Egbilika Josiah | Linguist, Language/Communication Expert, Consultant, Editor, Public Speaker, Research Consultant

Turn In to #LanguageHealth Radio Programme, 9-10pm Every Wednesday, 92.3 Nigeria Info. Twitter: @megastarjec

A #LanguageHealth Series from Language Sense Initiative #LanguageSense

Comments

Rivers’ Born Journalist Awajis, The Voice Behind Andoni Section of Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road

OPINION By: Josiah Egbilika The media has widely been acknowledged as a fourth tie of government. Besides it’s informative role, it has been credited as a watchdog. Beyond this role, the media has become an advocacy tool for social development. Remarkable achievements have been accoladed to journalists, On-Air-Personnel and even media houses in actualizing social developmental objectives of communities. In Rivers State, the media held the police accountable for the unjust torture of the Ikoku-5; unmasked the unjust gruesome murder of four University of Port Harcourt (Uniport( Students, now referred as the Aluu-4. These and many more including transparency and accountability of public officers as well as calls for completion of abandoned projects. One of such calls is that made by Awajibokoiton Josiah-Chijindu (fondly known as Awajis) for the completion of the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro unity road. The Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo unity road was awarded by a former governor of...

CREATING PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE THROUGH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTENANCE

by Josiah Egbilika Language Advocate, Najialogist, Human Rights and Gender Advocate Considering the decline in our indigenous languages, it has become of immense imperative to draw attention to the neglect of our indigenous languages. This is necessitated because the neglect of our languages has resulted to the abuse and false assumption that our indigenous languages are insufficient to national development, peace building and reconciliation. It is worthy of note that no good development can be achieved without communication. A good communication system is a facet to a better development in any region. No matter the tribe, race, belief or people, communicating the precepts and processes for better understanding and follow up is imperative. This is made possible through language. As a matter of truth not just fact, the place of language in human development can never be undermined. It plays a major role in virtually every human endeavour. It relays the essence of human existence, s...

Linguist Egbilika Calls For Adoption, Acceptance, Recognition of Endoglossophobia

A Port Harcourt based Linguist and Indigenous Language Advocate, Mr. Josiah Egbilika has called for the adoption, acceptance and recognition of the word, ‘Endoglossophobia’, and its inclusion in the next production of various dictionaries online or hardcopies. Speaking in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Wednesday, Mr. Egbilika stated that ‘Endoglossophobia’ is not just a word, but a real-life situation which if not handled can result in the extinction of indigenous languages. Noting that the situation is not only common in Nigeria or Africa but global, the Linguist enjoined that it be given the attention it deserves. By way of definition, Egbilika who holds a Master of Arts Degree in Linguistics, defined Endoglossophobia as the feeling of unease, apprehension, worry, irritation or nervousness experienced in learning or using either in speech or writing, one’s indigenous language or dialect. The indigenous language advocate, who stated that Endoglossophobia, simply put is the...

Language Health

Search This Blog