First Language Acquisition

by Eve V. Clark

Overview

How do young children learn language? When does this process start? What does language acquisition involve? Children are exposed to language from birth, surrounded by knowledgeable speakers who offer feedback and provide extensive practice every day. Through conversation and joint activities, children master the language being used around them. This fully revised third edition of Eve V. Clark's bestselling textbook offers comprehensive coverage of language acquisition, from a baby's first sounds to a child's increasing skill in negotiating, explaining and entertaining with language. This book, drawing together the most recent findings in the field, and illustrated with examples from a wide range of experimental and observational studies, including the author's own diary observations, presents an essential and comprehensive guide to first language acquisition. It will be fascinating reading for students of linguistics, developmental psychology and cognitive science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107143005
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/17/2016
Edition description:	3rd ed.
Pages:	586
Product dimensions:	6.93(w) x 9.96(h) x 1.18(d)

About the Author

Eve V. Clark is Lyman Professor in Humanities and Professor of Linguistics and Symbolic Systems, Emerita at the Department of Linguistics, Stanford University and is the 2021 recipient of the Roger Brown Award for her research on language acquisition. Recent publications include Language in Children (2017).

Table of Contents

List of tables, boxes, and figures viii

Acknowledgements xii

1 Acquiring language: Issues and questions 1

Part I Getting started 19

2 In conversation with children 21

3 Starting on language: Perception 51

4 Early words 75

5 Sounds in words: Production 94

6 Words and meanings 122

Part II Constructions and meanings 149

7 First combinations, first constructions 151

8 Modulating word meanings 176

9 Adding complexity within clauses 199

10 Combining clauses: More complex constructions 229

11 Constructing words 254

Part III Using language 279

12 Honing conversational skills 281

13 Doing things with language 306

14 Two languages at a time 336

Part IV Process in acquistion 355

15 Specialization for language 357

16 Acquisition and change 378

Glossary 401

References 406

Name index 465

Subject index 477

Editorial Reviews

'Twenty years after its first edition, Eve Clark has again fully updated her now classic textbook. It will continue to be the world’s most comprehensive and evenly balanced text on first language acquisition.' Willem Levelt, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics

'A magnificent overview of the science (and beauty) of how children learn to talk. In clear, compelling prose, the book illustrates the process and product of language acquisition, highlighting its social and interactional dimensions. A wonderful hook into the topic, for novices and experts alike.' Inbal Arnon, Psychology Department, Hebrew University

From the Publisher