The Blackwell Handbook of Language Development provides a comprehensive treatment of the major topics and current concerns in the field; exploring the progress of 21st century research, its precursors, and promising research topics for the future. Provides comprehensive treatments of the major topics and current concerns in the field of language development Explores foundational and theoretical approaches Focuses on the 21st century's research into the areas of brain development, computational skills, bilingualism, education, and cross-cultural comparison Looks at language development in infancy through early childhood, as well as atypical development Considers the past work, present research, and promising topics for the future. Broad coverage makes this an excellent resource for graduate students in a variety of disciplines

The Blackwell Handbook of Language Development provides acomprehensive treatment of the major topics and current concerns inthe field; exploring the progress of 21st century research, itsprecursors, and promising research topics for the future.* Provides comprehensive treatments of the major topics andcurrent concerns in the field of language development* Explores foundational and theoretical approaches* Focuses on the 21st century's research into the areas of braindevelopment, computational skills, bilingualism, education, andcross-cultural comparison* Looks at language development in infancy through earlychildhood, as well as atypical development* Considers the past work, present research, and promising topicsfor the future.* Broad coverage makes this an excellent resource for graduatestudents in a variety of disciplines

List of Contributors.Preface.1. On the Development of the Field of Language Development:Marilyn Shatz (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor).Part I: Basic Foundations and Theoretical Approaches toLanguage Development:.Introduction.2. The Neurodevelopmental Bases of Language: Valerie L. Shafer(City University of New York) and Karen Garrido-Nag (CityUniversity of New York).3. Formal and Computational Constraints on Language Development:Helen Goodluck (University of York).4. Domain-General Learning Capacities: Jenny R. Saffran(University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Erik D. Thiessen (CarnegieMellon University).5. How Inherently Social is Language?: Dare Baldwin (Universityof Oregon, Eugene) and Meredith Meyer (University of Oregon,Eugene).6. Input and the Acquisition of Language: Three Questions:Virginia C. Mueller Gathercole (University of Wales, Bangor) andErika Hoff (Florida Atlantic University).7. The Emergence of Language: A Dynamical Systems Account: JuliaL. Evans (San Diego State University).Part II: Language Development in Infancy:.Introduction.8. Experiential Influences on Speech Perception and SpeechProduction in Infancy: Linda Polka (McGill University, Montreal),Susan Rvachew (McGill University, Montreal), and Karen Mattock(McGill University, Montreal).9. Acquiring Linguistic Structure: LouAnn Gerken (University ofArizona, Tucson).10. Cognitive Processes in Early Word Learning: DianePoulin-Dubois (Concordia University, Montreal) and Susan A. Graham(University of Calgary).11. Syntactic Supports for Word Learning: Letitia R. Naigles(University of Connecticut, Storrs) and Lauren D. Swensen(University of Connecticut, Storrs).Part III: Language Development in Early Childhood:.Introduction.12. Phonological Development: Carol Stoel-Gammon (University ofWashington, Seattle) and Anna Vogel Sosa (University of Washington,Seattle).13. Mechanisms of Word Learning: Gil Diesendruck (Bar-IlanUniversity, Ramat-Gan, Israel).14. The Abstract Nature of Syntactic Representations:Consequences for a Theory of Learning: Jeffrey Lidz (University ofMaryland, College Park).15. Conversational Understanding in Young Children: MichaelSiegal (University of Trieste/University of Sheffield) and LucaSurian (University of Trieste).16. Bilingual First Language Acquisition: Fred Genesee (McGillUniversity, Montreal) and Elena Nicoladis (University of Alberta,Edmonton).Part IV: Language Development after Early Childhood:.Introduction.17. Developing Linguistic Knowledge and Language Use AcrossAdolescence: Ruth A. Berman (Tel Aviv University).18. Language and Literacy in Bilingual Children in the EarlySchool Years: D. Kimbrough Oller (University of Memphis) and LindaJarmulowicz (University of Memphis).19. Second Language Acquisition in Childhood: Johanne Paradis(University of Alberta, Edmonton).Part V: Atypical Language Development:.Introduction.20. Children with Specific Language Impairment: Bridging theGenetic and Developmental Perspectives: Mabel L. Rice (Universityof Kansas, Lawrence).21. Atypical Language Development: Autism and OtherNeurodevelopmental Disorders: Helen Tager-Flusberg (BostonUniversity).22. Reading and Reading Disorders: Heikki Lyytinen (Universityof Jyväskylä, Finland), Jane Erskine (Niilo MäkiInstitute, Jyväskylä, Finland), Mikko Aro (NiiloMäki Institute, Jyväskylä, Finland), and UllaRichardson (University of Jyväskylä, Finland).Author Index.Subject Index