Children learn language through exposure to their native language spoken by others from "summary" of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language by David Crystal
One of the most fundamental principles of language acquisition is that children learn language through exposure to their native language spoken by others. This process begins from birth, as infants are surrounded by the sounds, words, and sentences of their caregivers. This exposure is crucial for the development of language skills, as children gradually internalize the structures and patterns of their native language through repeated exposure. The importance of exposure to spoken language in the language acquisition process cannot be overstated. It is through this exposure that children learn to recognize and produce the sounds of their language, as well as understand the meanings of words and sentences. As they listen to others speak, children begin to make connections between the sounds they hear and the meanings they convey, laying the foundation for their own language production. In addition to the sounds and meanings of language, exposure to spoken language also helps children learn the grammatical structures and rules of their native language. Through hearing others speak, children are able to internalize the syntax, word order, and inflectional patterns of their language, allowing them to produce grammatically correct sentences as they begin to speak themselves. Furthermore, exposure to spoken language provides children with opportunities for social interaction and communication. By listening to others speak, children learn how language can be used to express thoughts, feelings, and intentions, as well as to engage in conversations and interactions with others. This social aspect of language acquisition is essential for the development of communicative competence and the ability to interact effectively with others.- Exposure to spoken language plays a critical role in the language acquisition process, as children learn to recognize and produce the sounds, meanings, and structures of their native language through repeated exposure to the speech of others. This exposure not only helps children develop their language skills, but also enables them to engage in social interactions and communicate effectively with others.
