Beginning Stages of Language
English Language: AQA A Level, topic 2.1.6
The Beginning Stages of Language
M. A. K. Halliday’s theory states that a child will learn language so that they can achieve things. To do this, the child will use language for seven main functions.
Function 1
- Firstly, the child needs language to satisfy their primary needs and urges:
- Instrumental – language used to show needs and desires (‘want food’).
Functions 2, 3 and 4
- Following this, the child starts to explore the world around them. This is a reflection of the child’s reduction in egocentrism.
- Regulatory – language used to get people to do something (‘tickle me’)
- Interactional – language used to interact with other and form relationships (‘hi Anna’).
- Personal – explores feelings and identity (‘me like juice’).
Functions 5, 6 and 7
- After this, children begin to explore a world which doesn’t involve them:
- Heuristic – language used to explore the world and the environment that surrounds the child (‘what Emma doing?').
- Imaginative – language used to be imaginative (tell stories, play pretend etc – ‘I’m a doggie! Woof!’).
- Representational – language used for facts (‘coat is yellow’).
The Lexical Importance of Utterances
In addition to looking at what language is being used to do, you should look at the utterance for lexical importance. Rescorla defined three categories for when a child overextends words. These three are:
Categorical
- When a child uses one word to describe everything in a category. This is also known as using a hypernym (the big label for categories – e.g. dogs) in place of the more specific hyponym (the sub-elements of a hypernym – e.g. Labradors, Poodles).
- For example, a child may apply ‘dog’ to all breeds of dogs.
Analogical
- When a child uses a word to describe something which is physically (or visually) similar or serves a similar purpose.
- For example, labelling a van as a car.
Relational
- When the word used has some form of relation to the incorrect word.
- For example, labelling the road as a car.
Test yourself on Beginning Stages of Language
Which function explores feelings and identity?
A child labelling the road as a car would fall into which of Rescorla's categories?
A child labelling a van as a car would fall into which of Rescorla's categories?