This classic text now in its tenth edition and now available from Plural Publishing, The Development of Language continues its focus on language acquisition in an unbiased, authoritative, and comprehensive way. Written by leading experts known for their research in the areas they discuss, this book has a multidisciplinary approach, and demonstrates the relevance of typical language development to speech-language pathologists, educators, clinicians, and those in other professions. Topics include the roots of language learning in infancy, phonology, syntax/grammar, word learning, bilingualism, pragmatics, literacy, atypical language development, and more. This book provides the reader with an authoritative text that includes important and useful concepts and research findings. Emphasis is placed on language development in children who are learning languages other than, or in addition to, English, as well as children with risk factors for language delay or disorder. The text leads the reader through every stage of development—the early months before children begin to speak, the preschool and school years, and adolescence as children achieve mastery of adult-like language skills. Key Features Chapter pedagogy includes learning objectives, visual aids, video links, summaries, and suggested projects to extend students’ understanding and application of text concepts Key terms are highlighted in the text with definitions provided in a Glossary Clear and concise writing by authors who are known for their research in the subject area and their ability to explain complex topics to a broad audience A multilingual and multicultural focus on acquisition in languages other than English, on non-mainstream varieties of English and on children learning two or more languages simultaneously (bilingualism), as well as children with developmental communication disorders New to the Tenth Edition Restructure of chapters to streamline information Greater in-depth coverage of concepts that are frequently more difficult for students to master Updated references to new research and the current literature References are now at the end of each chapter New and updated figures and photos Coverage of the latest technological advances in basic research and clinical practice in child language PluralPlus Online Ancillary Materials For Instructors: PowerPoint lecture slides, video links, and an Instructor's Resource Manual, and a test bank. For Students: Video links and eFlashcards

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknoledgments Contributors Chapter 1. The Development of Language: An Overview and a Preview Jean Berko Gleason and Brenda Caldwell Phillips Learning Objectives and Outcomes An Overview of the Course of Language Development Atypical Language Development The Structure of Language: Learning the System The Biological Bases of Language The Study of Language Development Summary References Suggested projects Chapter 2. Communication Development in Infancy Rochelle Newman and Katie Von Holzen Learning Objectives and Outcomes The Social Context of the Preverbal Infant Perceptual “Tuning” to Speech The Expression of Communicative Intent Before Speech Variation in Learning to Communicate Summary Suggested projects References Chapter 3. Phonological Development: Learning Sounds and Sound Patterns Carol Stoel-Gammon, Shelley Velleman and Lise Menn Learning Objectives and Outcomes English Speech Sounds and Sound Patterns Production: The Prelinguistic Period Learning to Make Words Learning to Pronounce Phonological Development: Norms and Measures When Speech Sound Development is Difficult The Acquisition of English Morphophonology Parents’ Role in Phonological Development Phonological Awareness and Reading Readiness Language Variation in the United States: Languages, Dialects and Speech Styles Child Phonology Problems Summary Suggested Projects Web Resources References Chapter 4. Semantic Development: Learning the Meanings of Words Paola Uccelli and Meredith L. Rowe Learning Objectives and Outcomes The Relations Between Words and Their Meanings Theoretical Perspectives on Semantic Development The Study of Early Semantic Development How Adult Speech Influences Children’s Semantic Development Individual Differences in Vocabulary Development: Home and School Factors Vocabulary Development and Assessment in Bilingual Children Later Semantic Development Connections Between Research and Practice Metalinguistic Development Summary Suggested Projects References Chapter 5. Putting Words Together: Comprehension and Production of Morphology and Syntax in the Preschool Years Andrea Zukowski and Nan Bernstein Ratner Learning Objectives and Outcomes Methods of Investigationg Children's Comprehension of Multiword Utterances Methods of Investigating Children's Production of Multiword Utterances: Examining Spontaneous Speech Entering the Complex Linguistic System Two-Word Utterances The Nature of Syntactic Rules Measuring Syntactic Growth Mean Length of Utterance (MLU): Advantages and Considerations Developing Specific Grammatical Morphemes Different Sentence Modalities Later Developments in Preschoolers Beyond the Preschool Years Knowledge Versus Processing Summary Suggested Projects References Chapter 6. Language in Social Contexts: Development of Communicative Competence Judith Becker Bryant Learning Objectives and Outcomes Language in Social Contexts The Challenge of Acquiring Communicative Competence How Do Children Acquire Communicative Competence? When Exhibiting Communicative Competence is Difficult Why Does Communicative Competence Matter? Summary Suggested Projects References Chapter 7. Theoretical Approaches to Language Acquisition Karina Hamamouche and John N. Bohannon III Learning Objectives and Outcomes Distinguishing Features of Theoretical Approaches Classic Behavioral Approaches Linguistic Approaches Language Acquisition Device (LAD) and Development Interactionist Approaches Information-Processing Approach Social Interaction Approach Gestural and Usage-Based Approach Usage-Based Theory Summary Suggested Projects References Chapter 8: Variation in Language Development: Implications for Research and Theory Beverly A. Goldfield, Catherine E. Snow and Ingrid A. Willenberg Learning Objectives and Outcomes The History of Variation in Child Language Research Variation in Early Words Segmenting the Speech Stream Variation in Early Sentences Stability of Style Across Words and Sentences Sources of Variation Context: The Interaction of Child, Caregiver and Language Implications of Variation for Theories of Language Acquisition Summary Suggested Projects References Chapter 9. Atypical Language Development Nan Bernstein Ratner and Catherine Torrington Eaton Learning Objectives and Outcomes Why Should We Study Atypical Development? What Causes Atypical Language Development? Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Special Considerations for Special Populations Severe Hearing Impairment Intellectual Disability Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Atypical Speech Development Evaluation of Suspected Speech and Language Disorders in Children Summary Suggested Projects References Chapter 10. Language and Literacy in the School Years Gigliana Melzi and Adina R. Schick Learning Objectives and Outcomes Learning to Share Oral Stories Gaining Awareness of Language Learning to Read When Learning to Read Is Difficult Learning to Write Summary Suggested Projects References Chapter 11. Bilingual Language Development Jing Zhao and L. Quentin Dixon Learning Objectives and Outcomes Perspectives on Bilingual Language Development Key Questions in Bilingual Language Development When Learning a Second Language Is Difficult Summary Suggested Projects References Glossary Index