Children identified as late talkers at 20-34 months of age were followed yearly throughout the preschool period. Data suggest that the longer a language delay persists, the less the chance of spontaneous recovery during the preschool period. Late-talking girls had less chance for spontaneous recovery than did late-talking boys. (Author/JDD)

Imitation in the speech of the child serves at least three functions in the development of linguistic competence. Imitation provides auditory feedback for phonological and morpho-syntactic accuracy, produces a model for verification and/or clarification by speakers, and "makes time" for the processing and acquisition of information. Beyond these…

Directed both to parents and to professionals, the manual explains factors involved in normal and abnormal language development. Language disorders are discussed, and methods and sources of help are described. (JD)

This paper offers some ideas on the types of behavior that can be considered precursors to language and that also lay the foundations for logic, mathematics, physics, etc. The paper posits the problem of whether a theory of language must be formulated before one can formulate a theory of language acquisition, or whether the reverse is true. The…