The development of language is a fundamental process in the growth and evolution of human beings. Throughout our lives, we go through different stages in which we acquire and perfect linguistic skills that allow us to communicate effectively with others. These stages of language development have been studied in psychology and linguistics, and common patterns have been identified that tend to occur in most people.
Stage 1: Prelinguistics
The first stage of language development, known as prelinguistics, spans from birth to approximately 12 months of age. During this stage, babies begin to communicate through non-verbal cues, such as crying, facial expressions, and gestures. As babies grow, they begin to babble and produce sounds that imitate speech, although they do not yet have linguistic meaning.
Characteristics of the prelinguistic stage
Some of the most common characteristics Highlights of the prelinguistic stage include:
- The ability to distinguish the sounds of language
- The imitation of sounds and gestures
- The establishment of connections between the sounds and actions of others
It is important to highlight that during the prelinguistic stage, babies are in constant contact with the language they hear around them, which allows them to acquire the necessary foundations for the future development of speech and communication.
Stage 2: Telegraphic Stage
The second stage of language development, known as the telegraphic stage, occurs between approximately 18 and 24 months old. During this stage, children begin to combine words in a simple way to form short and simple sentences that allow them to express their ideas and needs more precisely.
Characteristics of the telegraphic stage
Some of the most relevant characteristics of the telegraphic stage include:
- The use of single words to communicate complete messages
- The omission of certain words or parts of speech
- The appearance of grammatical or semantic errors
At this stage, children begin to experiment with the structure of the language and acquire a broader vocabulary that allows them to expand their skills communicative. As they progress through this stage, their ability to form more complex and elaborate sentences progressively develops.
Stage 3: Grammatical Stage
The third stage of language development, known As a grammatical stage, it occurs around 2 to 3 years of age. During this stage, children acquire greater knowledge of grammar and the linguistic rules that govern language, which allows them to build more elaborate and coherent sentences.
Characteristics of the grammatical stage
Some of the most notable characteristics of the grammatical stage include:
- The correct use of pronouns, verbs and tenses
- The ability to form complex sentences and with different grammatical structures
- The correction of grammatical and semantic errors from previous stages
At this stage, children begin to develop greater awareness of the rules of the language and apply them correctly more accurate in your speech and writing. Their vocabulary expands further, allowing them to express more complex and abstract ideas more clearly and coherently.
Stage 4: Advanced Stage
The fourth and final stage of development of language, known as the advanced stage, occurs from 4 years of age onwards. During this stage, children consolidate and refine the language skills acquired in previous stages, allowing them to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts and situations.
Characteristics of the advanced stage
Some of the most relevant characteristics of the advanced stage include:
- The ability to understand and produce a wide range of vocabulary
- The ability to adapt language to different interlocutors and contexts
- The mastery of more complex and sophisticated grammatical structures
At this stage, children show an increasing mastery of the language, both in its oral form as written, allowing them to actively participate in conversations, debates and more advanced communicative activities. Their ability to express ideas, emotions and thoughts clearly and accurately strengthens as they continue to develop their language skills.
In conclusion, language development is a continuous and dynamic process that develops over time. throughout a person's life. Through the stages of language development, individuals acquire the skills necessary to communicate effectively and participate in society actively and productively. Understanding the stages of language development allows us to identify and accompany the linguistic progress of children and adolescents, as well as providing us with tools to promote and enrich their communicative capacity at all stages of their lives.