A Context-Based Computational Model of Language Acquisition by Infants and Children

This research attempts to understand how children learn to use language. Instead o fusing syntax-based grammar rules to model the differences between children\u27s language and adult language, as has been done in the past, anew model is proposed. In the new research model, children acquire language by listening to the examples of speech that they hear in their environment and subsequently use the speech examples that have been previously heard in similar contextual situations. A computer model is generated to simulate this new model of language acquisition. The MALL computer program will ‘listen’ to examples of human speech, as would occur around a child, and then try to use these examples in new situations that are similar to the contextual situations in which the language examples were ‘heard’. This will provide a better understanding of how children learn to use language and how educators can assist or improve the language learning process by providing required examples of speech or by helping children to develop a better understanding of similarities between various contexts