Our vast intelligence also allows us to have language, a system of communication that uses symbols in a regular way to create meaning. Language gives us the ability to communicate our thoughts to others by talking, reading, and writing. Although other species have at least some ability to communicate, as far as we know, none of them have language. We will begin by reviewing the many components of language, then we will examine how language develops in infancy and early childhood, and then we will explore the benefits of learning two languages at once.

In This Section:

• 13.1 Foundations of Language
• 13.2 Language Development