Often when we think of a child’s communication skills we think of how well we understanding the child (speech intelligibility or articulation) and hos language skills (receptive and expressive). There are many other components of language that are important to consider as a child gets older. Language development continues thorough out ones life and as we age the form, content, and use of language becomes increasingly important.
The form and content of language are two of the three aspects of language. The form of language refers to the structural aspect of language. It refers to the organization, placement, and relationship of the words used. It is the “rules” that govern language, which is syntax (grammar). Syntax is the order of words as well as accurate grammar. Comprehension and expression is aided by the meaning that syntax adds to a sentence. Therefore in order to formulate sentences that not only convey a precise meaning a child must have understanding of basic vocabulary. The understanding of the vocabulary and the meaning different grammatical phonemes have is required so that a child can organize information.
Grammar is an area of language that is closely related to syntax, however, it is very important to recognize the vocabulary component of grammar. Grammar is more closely related to a vocabulary skill than a syntactic skill because grammar is the understanding and use of grammatical morphemes. Grammatical morphemes are prepositions, plurals, possessives, verb number and tense, noun-verb agreement, pronouns etc. The correct usage of these elements not only influence the overall meaning of the message communicated but they also change the specific meaning or vocabulary of the word.
If a child does not have the basic understanding of how grammatical morphemes change the overall meaning of the vocabulary then the child will experience significantly more difficult with syntax. The specific grammar features aid in meaning of the word but also provide clues for the word order or syntax of a sentence.
The form and content of language are two of the three aspects of language. The form of language refers to the structural aspect of language. It refers to the organization, placement, and relationship of the words used. It is the “rules” that govern language, which is syntax (grammar). Syntax is the order of words as well as accurate grammar. Comprehension and expression is aided by the meaning that syntax adds to a sentence. Therefore in order to formulate sentences that not only convey a precise meaning a child must have understanding of basic vocabulary. The understanding of the vocabulary and the meaning different grammatical phonemes have is required so that a child can organize information.
Grammar is an area of language that is closely related to syntax, however, it is very important to recognize the vocabulary component of grammar. Grammar is more closely related to a vocabulary skill than a syntactic skill because grammar is the understanding and use of grammatical morphemes. Grammatical morphemes are prepositions, plurals, possessives, verb number and tense, noun-verb agreement, pronouns etc. The correct usage of these elements not only influence the overall meaning of the message communicated but they also change the specific meaning or vocabulary of the word.
If a child does not have the basic understanding of how grammatical morphemes change the overall meaning of the vocabulary then the child will experience significantly more difficult with syntax. The specific grammar features aid in meaning of the word but also provide clues for the word order or syntax of a sentence.
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