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