Which statement about language development is true?

Which statement about language development is true?

• A. Language skills depend on hearing other people speak.
• B. Language is fixed at birth.
• C. Language never changes.
• D. Language is unrelated to exposure.

Answer: (A)

Language development hinges on exposure to language through hearing and social interaction. Infants learn sounds, words, and grammar by listening to and engaging with others, using those mental models to build their own speech. When children hear language, they imitate and refine it, which is why language skills depend on hearing others speak. That’s why the statement describing language as fixed at birth, or never changing, or unrelated to exposure, isn’t accurate. Language grows and shifts with experience, new words, and social use, and people can learn additional languages or adapt their language skills with continued exposure.

Language development hinges on exposure to language through hearing and social interaction. Infants learn sounds, words, and grammar by listening to and engaging with others, using those mental models to build their own speech. When children hear language, they imitate and refine it, which is why language skills depend on hearing others speak.

That’s why the statement describing language as fixed at birth, or never changing, or unrelated to exposure, isn’t accurate. Language grows and shifts with experience, new words, and social use, and people can learn additional languages or adapt their language skills with continued exposure.