LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
IN A DEAF CHILD
HOW LANGUAGE DEVELOPS
Language is developed in two ways: Language acquisition Language learning
Language development in a normal environment with any language accessible to the child is identical.
All languages are equal in this regard.
Critical period.
Learning is the key activity between ages 0-5.
80% of our total knowledge is learned during the first five years.The largest part of this is language development in the brain.
THIS IS CALLED COGNITIVE
DEVELOPMENT
Some Characteristics Of 5 Year Olds Who Have
Normal Language Development.
Self image is strong. Know who they are and can
identify family members by relationship words.
Have a command over 1500- 2000 words in their home language.
Use full sentences. Use grammatically correct
language. Refer to past and future events,
places and persons not present etc.
When language is accessible the child’s development is normal.
Hearing child of hearing parentsDeaf child of deaf parentsDeaf child of hearing parents
3 Family Examples
FIRST TWO FAMILIES
Accessible languageFull integration into family
Full participation in family Activities
Clear communication both expressive and receptive
Deaf child of hearing parents
Language inaccessible
Family activities are not accessible and comprehensible
Communication is a serious problem as the child’s need for it grows faster than his skills do.
Majority language
Minority language
Hearing child of Deaf parents Development is identical to the deaf child of deaf
parents Accessible language Full integration into family Full participation in family Activities Strong bonding Clear communication both expressive and receptive Majority language is developed automatically as the
environment provides ample auditory input through extended family, TV, neighbours, pre-school etc.
For years people have equated language with speech.
This is not correct.
Speech is one way to express language
Other ways are….
•Writing
•Reading
•Braille for the blind
•Sign language for the deaf
We cannot confuse the media whereby we convey meaning with the meaning itself.
A language written in a script not its own is not a foreign language.
Hum sab milkar
ghoomne ja rahe hain!
Language is a brain function.
SIGN LANGUAGE STIMULATES THE BRAIN
IN THE SAME WAY THAT A SPOKEN LANGUAGE DOES.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO
COMPREHENSIBLE INPUTS IN AN
ACCESSIBLE LANGUAGE
THANK YOU