ABSTRACT
The title “Language and Context” implies several different domains within the study of child language. One broad area is the study of cross-cultural differences, or how features of a culture influence the appropriate use of language in a given situation. These studies often focus on similarities and differences among cultures in terms of language acquisition. For example, in some cultures it is important to teach an infant how to speak, and therefore language that is directed to small children is simplified (e.g., shorter utterances, repetitions of important information in an utterance). In other cultures, the assumption is that children will learn language on their own, and no emphasis is given to simplifying language directed to language learners (e.g., Brice Heath, 1983).
