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Dynamic Adaptation in Child–Adult Language Interaction
Author(s) -
van Dijk Marijn,
van Geert Paul,
KoreckyKröll Katharina,
Maillochon Isabelle,
Laaha Sabine,
Dressler Wolfgang U.,
Bassano Dominique
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
language learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.882
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1467-9922
pISSN - 0023-8333
DOI - 10.1111/lang.12002
Subject(s) - adaptation (eye) , psychology , developmental psychology , language development , language acquisition , transactional leadership , dynamics (music) , cognitive psychology , linguistics , social psychology , pedagogy , philosophy , mathematics education , neuroscience
When speaking to young children, adults adapt their language to that of the child. In this article, we suggest that this child‐directed speech (CDS) is the result of a transactional process of dynamic adaptation between the child and the adult. The study compares developmental trajectories of three children to those of the CDS of their caregivers. Furthermore, a mathematical‐conceptual model is built that captures the essential dynamics of adaptation in a series of coupled equations. This model is sensitive to changes in the language development of the child. The results show evidence for a dynamic form of adaptation, although there are also clear individual differences.