Re: Human language acquisition

FM: Incidentally, for the benefit of the OP and the initial question...the
following book will have some useful information:

Bishop D. and Mogford K. (eds.) (1988) Language development in exceptional
circumstances. Edinburgh ; New York : Churchill Livingstone.

P 118 L265 1988


It includes among other things discussion language acquisition in
congenitally blind children (which has always been an amazing thing to me,
since we learn the meaning of nouns by ostension, generally), and will
probably have stuff to say on "non-producing" children...

GS: The issue of ostension is an interesting one. Wittgenstein, of course,
crucifies this notion in PI - only those that already speak the language, or
at least a language, are likely to "learn by ostension." Or rather, from a
more Skinnerian perspective, ostension must be first trained, and do so is
to establish a verbal, but not vocal, repertoire. Indeed, this repertoire is
none other than the generalized imitative repertoire. And it is
true.....after the child "has" this, "language" takes off.

Further, it shouldn't really fascinate you.....after all, there is a way to
"point to" tactile stimulation, and so ostension could still be possible,
and indeed it is but, of course, there is nothing basic, or fundamental
about it; it is, in fact, a specialized verbal repertoire.

Cordially,

Glen

"Fred Mailhot" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
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