Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Language Acquisition/Consequences of Deprivation. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 14 page research paper that examines research that pertains to the acquisition of language and the consequences of deprivation. The writer first of all examines the theories of Lenneberg, concerning a sensitive period in speech acquisition, and Chomsky, concerning innate brain structure, in regards to language acquisition and then applies these to the evidence offered by deficits in language skills in feral and abused children who have suffered from linguistic deprivation. The writer argues that examination of the literature shows that the work of Lenneberg and Chomsky is verified by the evidence offered by observations of feral children, that is, children who have missed the sensitive period for language and, therefore, cannot learn language above a rudimentary level. Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Page Count:
14 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khferal.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
be critical or sensitive periods in which normal development may occur. Newport defines a "critical period" as a "maturational time period during which some crucial experience will have its peak
effect on development or learning, resulting in normal behavior" that is attuned to the particular environment to which the organism has been exposed (Newport, 2002). If the organism is not
exposed to this experience until after the crucial period, the same environmental features will have either a reduced effect, or no effect whatsoever (Newport, 2002). Lenneberg (1967) speculated
that human language acquisition is an example of this sort of biologically constrained learning, which is constrained by the boundaries of a critical period that begins in infancy and ends
at puberty. Outside of this crucial period, Lenneberg felt that language was acquired with grater difficulty and by a totally different learning process. Since the time of Lennebergs text, research
studies have examined whether or not there is a critical or sensitive period for human language acquisition. This body of research literature provides strong evidence that there is such a
critical period for language acquisition in children, especially in regards to phonology and grammar (Newport, 2002). This position differs somewhat from the position of linguist Noam Chomsky, which is
that there are cognitive structures that are "hardwired" in the human brain concerning language acquisition, but Lennebergs perspective is certainly complementary to this position. Both positions are substantiated by behavior
in birds known as "imprinting," which describes the sensitive period in which a baby bird can be acquire its mating song (Newport, 2002). Examination of the literature shows that the
work of Lenneberg and Chomsky is verified by the evidence offered by observations of feral children, that is, children who have missed the sensitive period for language and, therefore, cannot
...