Speech Acquisition - Child Directed Speech

Speech Acquisition - Child Directed Speech

1. Lexis and Semantics

   • Restricted/Simplified language
     • Focuses on concrete language in the child's environment
     • Avoids complex sentences
   • Diminutive forms of words
     • Often the child's own words
       • e.g 'Choo-choo', 'Doggie'

2. Phonology

   • Slower & clearer pronounciation
   • More paused between sentences
   • Higher and wider pitch range
   • Exaggerated intonation, 'sing song' and stress to emphasise key words
   • Inotation changes to show difference in statements, question and commands

3. Grammar

   • Simpler constructions
   • Shorter sentences
   • Incomplete sentences and restricted speech patterns
   • High level of repitition
   • Use of personal names, no pronouns

4. Pragmatics

   • Interchange between adults and children that is important
   • Gestures and body language
   • Fewer utterances per turn
     • Information is broken down into bits
       • Allows the child to speak
   • Adults copy and expand on the utterance
     • To clarify the utterance based on social context