When a human being is born, its brain is "tabla rasa." And it's really the interactions between mother and child, father and child, and other members of the family that end up contributing to what an infant sees, learns, and also relates to.
Many are surprised to know that even while in still inside the uterus, the human baby can receive just as much communication from parents and children in the family as it does when it's born. Even a gentle pat on the pregnant mother's stomach can transmit information similar to verbal language to the sensory organs of the growing baby. Likewise, even music can be played and heard by developing neonates.
This begs the question of what differences in language might occur based on these early experiences? After all, once out in the universe, the infant begins to have interactions between and among all those around it.
Also, how often might it be that a family is bilingual, living in an area where both English and another native tongue might be in place?
What is the first word spoken by the infant? In which language? Why?
And is it too complicated for an infant to learn two languages at once? Might it be preferred to use only one language and then later on begin introducing the second?
Such questions rarely get asked.
Imagine yourself as an adult and learning all about what is around you for the first time. Where does language fit in? How soon? Can you utter that first word and receive accolades from those around you? Is it rewarding or overwhelming to you when that happens?
It's often that we don't pay attention to the key role that language can play in early childhood development.
The focus on speech could not be greater. After all, it is through one's language that it becomes possible to communicate with peers, with teachers, and with administrators.
Language on the Internet came first and now it is fast being replaced with "texting."
Key symbols replace words!
All the language learned by our ancestors has now become abbreviated, and it is as if still one more language has to be learned in order to communicate effectively via the devices becoming dominant in the present cyber age.
Computers are stated to be phasing out. How quickly technology takes command of the language we use and causes us to adapt.
To illustrate:
TYVM = can be used to indicate the phrase, "Thank you very much."
The emoticon - :) = can now be used to infer a "smile."
Furthermore, we are so immersed into the post-cyber age of communications where even standard emails can be replaced by quick texts. Parents and children sit at a table together and each has a device, often with texting going on by all who are not communicating with one another!
Dear reader, this makes me wonder whatever happened to language as the basis for communication among and between people and cultures?
I think that it would indeed be unfortunate if technology replaced natural language learning in one's life. Today I'm constantly reminded of how adults are learning new words or manage to escape learning a word that others are likely to know.
In sum, factors like hearing, vision, and brain activity all play a role in how language is learned and used by us all. The changing language forms present an even greater challenge for us as we continue to create ways to benefit the world.
« return.