Central Role of Language

Language is made possible because of our culture (tools and symbols). Thelearning of language (or signs) is brought about by social processes, andlanguage or signs ultimately make thought possible. Therefore, when a childis an infant, at the preverbal stage of development, his/her intelligence is apurely natural, useful capacity. As a child begins to develop so does his/herlanguage. As a child begins to speak, his/her thought processes also begin todevelop. In essence, it is language or signs which directs behavior. Vygotskydescribes three stages in the development of speech. Each of these three stageof speech has its own function. (Lefrancois, 1994).

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