PEAS PEAS PEAS PEAS PEAS PEAS PEAS PEAS PEAS
The use of language between Rebecca and her father is very interesting, and brings to mind several theories of language.
The first thing to address, and the most notable thing, is the father’s use of “parentese.” In order to help Rebecca begin understanding abstract concepts, the father uses an altered selection of words that Rebecca will comprehend easier. An example of this is when the father says “oh (.) there’s your shop (1) that’s a good place.” Although the father could have said something along the lines of “where is your shop located? Is it a well-kept establishment?” that would not be appropriate in this scenario, and Rebecca would likely be very confused.
Turn-taking is apparent in this conversation, which is a method of positive reinforcement used by parents in order for the child to understand concepts better. Rather than a spontaneous conversation, with topics changing fluidly and incomplete sentences being common, this conversation involves a back-and-forth manner. A large portion of the conversation is made up of questions and answers, which are the easiest thing for a child to understand. For example, when the father says “what about the rice (.) where’s my rice gone?” he is encouraging Rebecca to reply and become a stronger speaker. This directly correlates with the father’s use of rising tone, which is also key.
The father’s use of rising tone, for example in the line “where are you going↗” is another method of positive reinforcement you can see in the conversation. Not only is positive reinforcement associated with questions, (used to encourage the other participant to speak) it will attract the child’s attention. While it is difficult to signify that someone is speaking in a higher-than-normal pitch, this is common in conversations between parent and child, in order to get the child listening and paying attention to what the parent is trying to teach them.
These methods of reinforcement help in the child’s understanding of abstract concepts. In this scenario, the child, Rebecca, is the shopkeeper of an imaginary shop. Some of the thoughts that accompany keeping an imaginary shop are the location of the shop, what is being sold, etc. As a young child, it may be difficult to comprehend abstract concepts, or things that can be imagined without being physically there. Playing games with one’s child, as Rebecca’s father is doing with her, allows for this positive reinforcement to take place, whether it be turn-taking or a rising tone at the end of each sentence.
A big example of reinforcement in the scenario following Rebecca and her father is in the father’s use of repetition. Encouraging Rebecca to repeat utterances she makes reminds her what the topics at hand are. In the text, we see the father repeat the words “peas” as well as “rice” several times. This is intended for Rebecca to learn more about the English language and improve in language acquisition. When Rebecca is talking about peas being sold at her imaginary shop, the father encourages her to repeat it (although she is doing a lot of it herself) in order to ingrain that concept in her mind.
All of these concepts coincide with the theories presented by Skinner, a Behavourist theorist, who suggests that children learn through reinforcement. Skinner posited that reinforcement was how children learn language and become fluent as they grow older. Whether it is rising tone, repetition, or the turn-taking structure of the conversation, the reinforcement theory is very apparent throughout.
The first thing to address, and the most notable thing, is the father’s use of “parentese.” In order to help Rebecca begin understanding abstract concepts, the father uses an altered selection of words that Rebecca will comprehend easier. An example of this is when the father says “oh (.) there’s your shop (1) that’s a good place.” Although the father could have said something along the lines of “where is your shop located? Is it a well-kept establishment?” that would not be appropriate in this scenario, and Rebecca would likely be very confused.
Turn-taking is apparent in this conversation, which is a method of positive reinforcement used by parents in order for the child to understand concepts better. Rather than a spontaneous conversation, with topics changing fluidly and incomplete sentences being common, this conversation involves a back-and-forth manner. A large portion of the conversation is made up of questions and answers, which are the easiest thing for a child to understand. For example, when the father says “what about the rice (.) where’s my rice gone?” he is encouraging Rebecca to reply and become a stronger speaker. This directly correlates with the father’s use of rising tone, which is also key.
The father’s use of rising tone, for example in the line “where are you going↗” is another method of positive reinforcement you can see in the conversation. Not only is positive reinforcement associated with questions, (used to encourage the other participant to speak) it will attract the child’s attention. While it is difficult to signify that someone is speaking in a higher-than-normal pitch, this is common in conversations between parent and child, in order to get the child listening and paying attention to what the parent is trying to teach them.
These methods of reinforcement help in the child’s understanding of abstract concepts. In this scenario, the child, Rebecca, is the shopkeeper of an imaginary shop. Some of the thoughts that accompany keeping an imaginary shop are the location of the shop, what is being sold, etc. As a young child, it may be difficult to comprehend abstract concepts, or things that can be imagined without being physically there. Playing games with one’s child, as Rebecca’s father is doing with her, allows for this positive reinforcement to take place, whether it be turn-taking or a rising tone at the end of each sentence.
A big example of reinforcement in the scenario following Rebecca and her father is in the father’s use of repetition. Encouraging Rebecca to repeat utterances she makes reminds her what the topics at hand are. In the text, we see the father repeat the words “peas” as well as “rice” several times. This is intended for Rebecca to learn more about the English language and improve in language acquisition. When Rebecca is talking about peas being sold at her imaginary shop, the father encourages her to repeat it (although she is doing a lot of it herself) in order to ingrain that concept in her mind.
All of these concepts coincide with the theories presented by Skinner, a Behavourist theorist, who suggests that children learn through reinforcement. Skinner posited that reinforcement was how children learn language and become fluent as they grow older. Whether it is rising tone, repetition, or the turn-taking structure of the conversation, the reinforcement theory is very apparent throughout.
Julian,
ReplyDeleteOnce again, the paper did not reach 600 words. It's close, but 25 words short is more noticeable than 5. This blog is actually really well formed. The ideas you were presented were relevant and well explained and were well rounded. Your quotes were fairly precise. My only criticism is that a smidge more elaboration could have been made, but what you have here is very good. I think it is a solid band 3.
Julian,
ReplyDeleteCompared to your last blog, this one contains much better content and it is very evident that you went back and read the chapter and it’s content. This being said, I would have to give your blog a low band three or high band 4. You have very good information, and the points you made are good. But the explanation is somewhat lacking. Another bog glaring issue is how you mentioned Skinner in the last paragraph. Rather than doing this, try and work that into your body paragraphs, and then make your last paragraph a conclusion summing up the good information you included. Overall, this was actually a good blog and included very good points, with just lacking explanations.