The role of gesture in referential communication
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Melvin Mai-Rong Ng
Abstract
In this chapter, we track the developmental changes of referential communication in gesture over the important time periods of the child’s development and discuss their implications. Of particular interest is the changing role that gesture plays in referential communication as the child develops, and the manner in which it evolves as the child matures linguistically. Knowledge that the child possesses is often expressed first in gesture before it appears in speech. Gesture hence serves as a herald, a window into the knowledge that is possessed by the child but is not expressed verbally. Gestures made by children during these time periods may also serve to elicit environmental input when they are in a state where they are most receptive to it. Gestures hence provide a means for children to have an interactive role in shaping their own learning environment. Overall, gesture provides referential information that is often not revealed in speech. It also precedes and predicts changes in the child’s language development.
Abstract
In this chapter, we track the developmental changes of referential communication in gesture over the important time periods of the child’s development and discuss their implications. Of particular interest is the changing role that gesture plays in referential communication as the child develops, and the manner in which it evolves as the child matures linguistically. Knowledge that the child possesses is often expressed first in gesture before it appears in speech. Gesture hence serves as a herald, a window into the knowledge that is possessed by the child but is not expressed verbally. Gestures made by children during these time periods may also serve to elicit environmental input when they are in a state where they are most receptive to it. Gestures hence provide a means for children to have an interactive role in shaping their own learning environment. Overall, gesture provides referential information that is often not revealed in speech. It also precedes and predicts changes in the child’s language development.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- The acquisition of nominal determiners 25
- Mapping information structure and word order 51
- Children’ use of intonation in reference and the role of input 83
- The role of gesture in referential communication 105
- The role of cognitive accessibility in children’s referential choice 123
- Acquisition and use of pronouns in a dialogic perspective 155
- From early to late mastery of reference 181
- Online evidence for children’s interpretation of personal pronouns 213
- Children’s sensitivity to caregiver cues and the role of adult feedback in the developmentof referential communication 241
- The cognitive underpinnings of referential abilities 263
- Production and comprehension of pronouns and reflexives in atypical populations 285
- Referential expressions in bilingual acquisition 311
- Language index 335
- Subject index 337
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- The acquisition of nominal determiners 25
- Mapping information structure and word order 51
- Children’ use of intonation in reference and the role of input 83
- The role of gesture in referential communication 105
- The role of cognitive accessibility in children’s referential choice 123
- Acquisition and use of pronouns in a dialogic perspective 155
- From early to late mastery of reference 181
- Online evidence for children’s interpretation of personal pronouns 213
- Children’s sensitivity to caregiver cues and the role of adult feedback in the developmentof referential communication 241
- The cognitive underpinnings of referential abilities 263
- Production and comprehension of pronouns and reflexives in atypical populations 285
- Referential expressions in bilingual acquisition 311
- Language index 335
- Subject index 337
