FEATURE
Dinner Dialogues Build Language By David R. Meek Lamar University
Most hearing children are raised learning their family’s native language by listening, talking, reading, and writing. During conversation, communication includes both verbal (spoken) and nonverbal (body language or facial expression) language or cues that can either be clear or vague. Spoken language includes intonation, tone, stress, and the rhythm of the voice. Nonverbal language, such as gestures, can help people understand what is being said, even without speech. For instance, you can nod your head to show that
Spring-Summer 2017
you are paying attention and understand the speaker rather than say, “Yes, I understand.”2 Another example is raising a hand to represent “stop” without actually saying the word. Facial expressions with body language convey many meanings, including the person’s mood. If we imagine a child who misbehaves, parents can look at the child with a scowl or with their hands on their hips to show the child that the behavior is not appropriate. This acquisition of language is different for deaf children, as 90% are born
The Endeavor 7