Psychology of Language, Fall 2001

Reading List

Unit 5 (Nov. 7)

Language Acquisition

The readings for this unit assume a certain amount of basic understanding of the sequence of acquisition that characterizes childrenís language growth. The Pinker reading comes

closest to providing an overview of that sequence. If you are would like more on this topic, I can provide you with some basic readings that will fill you in. The readings connect

with the processing theories we have discussed, especially the Taraban and McClelland, and wit issues in second language acquistion. The optional readings deal largely with the

development of childrenís command of narratives.

Required

Bates, E. & MacWhinney, B., (1987). Competition, variation, and language learning. In B. MacWhinney (ed.), Mechanisms of language acquisition (pp. 157 193).

Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum. (pdf)

Hakuta, K. (1987). The second-language learner in the context of the study of language acquisition. In P. Homel, M. Palij, D. Aaronson (eds.),

Childhood bilingualism: Aspects of linguistic, cognitive, and social development (pp. 31 55). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. (pdf)

Pinker, S. (1994). The language instinct, Chapter 9: Baby born talking.(pp. 262-296). NY: William Morrow. (pdf)

Optional

Hudson, J.A., & Shapiro, L. R. (1991). From knowing to telling: The development of childrenís scripts, stories, and personal narratives. In A. McCabe, & C. Peterson (eds.),

Developing narrative structure (pp. 89-135). Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum. (pdf)

Hicks, D. (1991). Kinds of narratives: Genre skills among first graders from two communities. In A. McCabe, & C. Peterson (eds.),

Developing narrative structure (pp. 55-87). Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum.

McCabe, A., & Peterson, C. (1991). Getting the story: A longitudinal study of parental styles in eliciting narratives and developing narrative skill. In A. McCabe, & C. Peterson (eds.),

Developing narrative structure (pp. 217 - 253). Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum.

Peterson, C. & McCabe, A. (1991). Linking childrenís connective use and narrative macrostructure. In A. McCabe, & C. Peterson (eds.),

Developing narrative structure (pp. 29-53). Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum.