Abstract

BORGES, Lucivanda Cavalcante  and  SALOMAO, Nádia Maria Ribeiro. Language acquisition: explanations of the social interaction perspective. Psicol. Reflex. Crit. [online]. 2003, vol.16, n.2, pp. 327-336. ISSN 0102-7972.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-79722003000200013.

The studies on the influence of social factors on language acquisition were largely influenced by the criticism made to Chomsky's ideas. Researchers following the social interaction perspective disagree with Chomsky and stress the influence of input on language acquisition. This perspective recognises the role of social interaction between adult and child, especially the mother, in the development of infant language. The relationship is characterised by a bidirectional model in which both parts contribute to the course of interaction. In this perspective, language is considered communication, and so initiate before the emission of words. The aim of this paper is to present the explanations of Social Interaction perspective regarding children's language acquisition. Maternal speech styles (motherese) and their influence on child's language, and different input styles are discussed, considering the child's characteristics.

Keywords : Child language; social interaction; linguistic input.