LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Learning a language
Every normal human being learns one or more languages. The first to learn is the mother tongue. Then he gets opportunity to learn many languages. It is through his direct experiences gained in the community to which he belongs. The way a person learns a language is the same with every individual. At first, the person listens, then learns to recognize the sounds and then reproduction of the same is made. The best source for listening is the native speaker of the language. The language can be easily learnt if a scientific approach is followed.
If a person wants to learn the language there is need of normal intelligence. As far as the process is concerned, learning a foreign language or the mother tongue is the same. By and by, through continuous practice language is learnt as a whole. Learning a language is a skill. Later, it becomes a habit for the learner. In the words of Palmer, ``Language learning is a habit forming process’’ It gives a link between a word and meaning. Later it is a means of social control. During early childhood, the improvement in speech and comprehension is an important matter. Skills in building up a vocabulary, mastering pronunciation and combining words into sentences are in rapid growth. Development of language skill is the product of the society.

Functions of language:
Any language has three functions in development. They are:
i) Informative function (Communication or conversation)
ii) Expressive function (Expressing feelings, ideas and thoughts)
iii) Directive function (Giving direction to others)
iv) Interaction function (Sharing ideas & discussing)
v) Creative function (Creating new ideas)

IMPROVED VERSION:
Learning a language
Every normal human being learns one or more languages. The first to learn is the mother tongue. Then he gets opportunity to learn many languages. It is through his direct experiences gained in the community to which he belongs. The way a person learns a language is the same with every individual. At first, the person listens, then learns to recognize the sounds and then reproduction of the same is made. The best source for listening is the native speaker of the language. The language can be easily learnt if a scientific approach is followed.
If a person wants to learn the language there is need of normal intelligence. As far as the process is concerned, learning a foreign language or the mother tongue is the same. By and by, through continuous practice language is learnt as a whole. Learning a language is a skill. Later, it becomes a habit for the learner. In the words of Palmer, ``Language learning is a habit forming process’’ It gives a link between a word and meaning. Later it is a means of social control. During early childhood, the improvement in speech and comprehension is an important matter. Skills in building up a vocabulary, mastering pronunciation and combining words into sentences are in rapid growth. Development of language skill is the product of the society.

Functions of language:
Any language has three functions in development. They are:
i) Informative function (Communication or conversation)
ii) Expressive function (Expressing feelings, ideas and thoughts)
iii) Directive function (Giving direction to others)
iv) Interaction function (Sharing ideas & discussing)
v) Creative function (Creating new ideas)