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time by choosing one of the options on this menu. Changing your study level will return
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What is the difference between language and communication?
Make a list of six of your regular daily activities.
Put the letter 'c' next to those that you think involve communication.
Put the letter 'l' next to those that you think involve language.
Look at the 'c' and 'l' activities and write one definition of communication
and one of language.
What differences and similarities do you see?
Understanding
the child
In the previous exercise we looked at the relationship between language and communication.
Now, let's look at this from the child's perspective. Try to answer the following
questions. When you have finished, click on the question to reveal the answer.
Q
Do children need language to communicate?
Click for the answer
A
Not necessarily. Some children with communication difficulties are able to understand
the feelings and social aspects of language despite struggling with syntax (grammar).
Q
Do children need to communicate to be able to engage in language?
Click for the answer
A
No. Some children who have difficulties communicating will manage to understand
the structural elements of conversation. So, for example, children on the autistic
spectrum will be able to take part in a conversation despite the fact that they might
not understand the evaluative or social meanings of that conversation.
Shared knowledge
If you spoke these words to a random person in the street, unless they were familiar
with Lewis Carroll, it is likely that they would have no idea what you were talking
about.
For language and communication to function there needs to be a shared knowledge
and purpose among those who are using it.
A key aspiration
Watch this clip taken from a review meeting. At one point in the clip, Janice talks
about her ambitions for her son, Marley
Q
What are her communication aspirations for Marley? How much do you think the other
general gains Janice describes are influenced by improvements in Marley's communication
skills?
Click for the answer
A
Janice wants Marley to be able to have normal conversations, without anyone having
to hold him back because he is saying too much, or encouraging him to be more forthcoming.
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