(ROOT (S (NP (NN Language) (NN learning)) (VP (VBZ begins) (PP (IN with) (S (VP (NN listening))))) (. .)))
Language learning begins with listening.
compound
Number=Sing
language
Language
NOUN
NN
nsubj
Number=Sing
learning
learning
NOUN
NN
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
begin
begins
VERB
VBZ
case
with
with
SCONJ
IN
obl
Number=Sing
listening
listening
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (S (NP (NNS Children)) (VP (VBP are) (ADJP (RB greatly) (JJ different) (PP (IN in) (NP (NP (NP (DT the) (NN amount)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NN listening)))) (SBAR (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBP do) (SBAR (IN before) (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBP start) (S (VP (VBG speaking)))))))))))))) (, ,) (CC and) (S (NP (JJR later) (NNS starters)) (VP (VBP are) (ADVP (RB often)) (NP (JJ long) (NNS listeners)))) (. .)))
Children are greatly different in the amount of listening they do before they start speaking, and later starters are often long listeners.
nsubj
Number=Plur
child
Children
NOUN
NNS
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
are
AUX
VBP
advmod
greatly
greatly
ADV
RB
root
Degree=Pos
different
different
ADJ
JJ
case
in
in
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
amount
amount
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
Number=Sing
listening
listening
NOUN
NN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
do
do
VERB
VBP
mark
before
before
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
start
start
VERB
VBP
xcomp
VerbForm=Ger
speak
speaking
VERB
VBG
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
amod
Degree=Cmp
late
later
ADJ
JJR
nsubj
Number=Plur
starter
starters
NOUN
NNS
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
are
AUX
VBP
advmod
often
often
ADV
RB
amod
Degree=Pos
long
long
ADJ
JJ
conj
Number=Plur
listener
listeners
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (JJS Most) (NNS children)) (VP (MD will) (VP (`` ``) (VB obey) (`` '') (NP (VBN spoken) (NNS instructions)) (NP (NP (DT some) (NN time)) (SBAR (IN before) (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (MD can) (VP (VB speak)))))) (, ,) (SBAR (IN though) (S (NP (NP (DT the) (NN word)) (VP (`` ``) (VB obey) ('' ''))) (VP (VBZ is) (ADJP (RB hardly) (JJ exact) (PP (IN as) (NP (NP (DT a) (NN description)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NP (DT the) (ADJP (JJ eager) (CC and) (JJ delighted)) (NN co-) (NN operation)) (VP (ADVP (RB usually)) (VBN shown) (PP (IN by) (NP (DT the) (NN child)))))))))))))) (. .)))
Most children will "obey" spoken instructions some time before they can speak, though the word "obey" is hardly exact as a description of the eager and delighted co- operation usually shown by the child.
amod
Degree=Sup
most
Most
ADJ
JJS
nsubj
Number=Plur
child
children
NOUN
NNS
aux
VerbForm=Fin
will
will
AUX
MD
punct
``
``
PUNCT
``
root
VerbForm=Inf
obey
obey
VERB
VB
punct
''
''
PUNCT
``
amod
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
speak
spoken
VERB
VBN
obj
Number=Plur
instruction
instructions
NOUN
NNS
det
some
some
DET
DT
obl:tmod
Number=Sing
time
time
NOUN
NN
mark
before
before
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
acl
VerbForm=Inf
speak
speak
VERB
VB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
mark
though
though
SCONJ
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
word
word
NOUN
NN
punct
``
``
PUNCT
``
nsubj
VerbForm=Inf
obey
obey
VERB
VB
punct
''
''
PUNCT
''
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
advmod
hardly
hardly
ADV
RB
advcl
Degree=Pos
exact
exact
ADJ
JJ
case
as
as
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
description
description
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
eager
eager
ADJ
JJ
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Degree=Pos
delighted
delighted
ADJ
JJ
compound
Number=Sing
co-
co-
NOUN
NN
nmod
Number=Sing
operation
operation
NOUN
NN
advmod
usually
usually
ADV
RB
acl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
show
shown
VERB
VBN
case
by
by
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl:agent
Number=Sing
child
child
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (SBAR (IN Before) (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (MD can) (VP (VB speak))))) (, ,) (NP (JJ many) (NNS children)) (VP (MD will) (ADVP (RB also)) (VP (VB ask) (NP (NNS questions)) (PP (PP (IN by) (NP (NNS gestures))) (CC and) (PP (IN by) (S (VP (VBG making) (NP (NN questioning) (NNS noises)))))))) (. .)))
Before they can speak, many children will also ask questions by gestures and by making questioning noises.
mark
before
Before
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
advcl
VerbForm=Inf
speak
speak
VERB
VB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
amod
Degree=Pos
many
many
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Plur
child
children
NOUN
NNS
aux
VerbForm=Fin
will
will
AUX
MD
advmod
also
also
ADV
RB
root
VerbForm=Inf
ask
ask
VERB
VB
obj
Number=Plur
question
questions
NOUN
NNS
case
by
by
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Plur
gesture
gestures
NOUN
NNS
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
mark
by
by
SCONJ
IN
conj
VerbForm=Ger
make
making
VERB
VBG
compound
Number=Sing
question
questioning
NOUN
NN
obj
Number=Plur
noise
noises
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (NP (DT Any) (NN attempt) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB study) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN development)) (PP (IN from) (NP (NP (DT the) (NNS noises)) (SBAR (S (NP (NNS babies)) (VP (VBP make) (PP (IN to) (NP (PRP$ their) (JJ first) (VBN spoken) (NNS words))))))))))))) (VP (VBZ leads) (PP (IN to) (NP (JJ considerable) (NNS difficulties)))) (. .)))
Any attempt to study the development from the noises babies make to their first spoken words leads to considerable difficulties.
det
any
Any
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
attempt
attempt
NOUN
NN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
acl
VerbForm=Inf
study
study
VERB
VB
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
development
development
NOUN
NN
case
from
from
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Plur
noise
noises
NOUN
NNS
nsubj
Number=Plur
baby
babies
NOUN
NNS
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
make
make
VERB
VBP
case
to
to
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
their
their
PRON
PRP$
amod
Degree=Pos|NumType=Ord
first
first
ADJ
JJ
amod
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
speak
spoken
VERB
VBN
obl
Number=Plur
word
words
NOUN
NNS
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
lead
leads
VERB
VBZ
case
to
to
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
considerable
considerable
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Plur
difficulty
difficulties
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP It)) (VP (VBZ 's) (VP (VBN agreed) (SBAR (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBP enjoy) (S (VP (VBG making) (NP (NNS noises))))))) (, ,) (CC and) (SBAR (IN that) (S (PP (IN during) (NP (DT the) (JJ first) (JJ few) (NNS months))) (NP (QP (CD one) (CC or) (CD two)) (NNS noises)) (VP (VBP sort) (NP (PRP themselves)) (ADVP (RP out)) (PP (IN as) (NP (NP (JJ particular) (NN expression)) (PP (IN like) (NP (NP (NN delight)) (, ,) (NP (NN pain)) (, ,) (NP (NN friendliness)) (CC and) (ADVP (RB so) (RB on)))))))))))) (. .)))
It's agreed that they enjoy making noises, and that during the first few months one or two noises sort themselves out as particular expression like delight, pain, friendliness and so on.
expl
Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
It
PRON
PRP
aux:pass
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
's
AUX
VBZ
root
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
agree
agreed
VERB
VBN
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
ccomp
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
enjoy
enjoy
VERB
VBP
xcomp
VerbForm=Ger
make
making
VERB
VBG
obj
Number=Plur
noise
noises
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
case
during
during
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos|NumType=Ord
first
first
ADJ
JJ
amod
Degree=Pos
few
few
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Plur
month
months
NOUN
NNS
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
one
one
NUM
CD
cc
or
or
CCONJ
CC
conj
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
two
two
NUM
CD
nsubj
Number=Plur
noise
noises
NOUN
NNS
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
sort
sort
VERB
VBP
obj
Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes
themselves
themselves
PRON
PRP
compound:prt
out
out
ADP
RP
case
as
as
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
particular
particular
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Sing
expression
expression
NOUN
NN
case
like
like
ADP
IN
nmod
Number=Sing
delight
delight
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
conj
Number=Sing
pain
pain
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
conj
Number=Sing
friendliness
friendliness
NOUN
NN
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
advmod
so
so
ADV
RB
advmod
on
on
ADV
RB
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (CC But) (SBAR (IN since) (S (NP (DT these)) (VP (MD ca) (RB n't) (VP (VB be) (VP (VBN said) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB show) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN baby) (POS 's)) (NN intention) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB communicate))))))))))))) (, ,) (NP (PRP they)) (VP (MD can) (ADVP (RB hardly)) (VP (VB be) (VP (VBN regarded) (PP (IN as) (NP (NP (JJ early) (NNS forms)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NN language)))))))) (. .)))
But since these can't be said to show the baby's intention to communicate, they can hardly be regarded as early forms of language.
cc
but
But
CCONJ
CC
mark
since
since
SCONJ
IN
nsubj:pass
Number=Plur|PronType=Dem
this
these
PRON
DT
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
ca
AUX
MD
advmod
not
n't
PART
RB
aux:pass
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
advcl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
say
said
VERB
VBN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
show
show
VERB
VB
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nmod:poss
Number=Sing
baby
baby
NOUN
NN
case
's
's
PART
POS
obj
Number=Sing
intention
intention
NOUN
NN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
acl
VerbForm=Inf
communicate
communicate
VERB
VB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj:pass
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
advmod
hardly
hardly
ADV
RB
aux:pass
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
root
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
regard
regarded
VERB
VBN
case
as
as
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
early
early
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Plur
form
forms
NOUN
NNS
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
Number=Sing
language
language
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP It)) (VP (VBZ is) (VP (VBN agreed) (ADVP (RB too)) (, ,) (SBAR (IN that) (S (PP (IN from) (NP (NP (RB about) (CD three) (NNS months)) (SBAR (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBP play) (PP (IN with) (NP (NNS sounds))) (PP (IN for) (NP (NN enjoyment)))))))) (, ,) (CC and) (SBAR (IN that) (S (PP (IN by) (NP (CD six) (NNS months))) (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBP are) (ADJP (JJ able) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB add) (NP (JJ new) (NNS words)) (PP (IN to) (NP (PRP$ their) (NN store)))))))))))))) (. .)))
It is agreed too, that from about three months they play with sounds for enjoyment, and that by six months they are able to add new words to their store.
nsubj:pass
Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
It
PRON
PRP
aux:pass
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
root
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
agree
agreed
VERB
VBN
advmod
too
too
ADV
RB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
case
from
from
ADP
IN
advmod
about
about
ADV
RB
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
three
three
NUM
CD
obl
Number=Plur
month
months
NOUN
NNS
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
csubj:pass
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
play
play
VERB
VBP
case
with
with
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Plur
sound
sounds
NOUN
NNS
case
for
for
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Sing
enjoyment
enjoyment
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
case
by
by
ADP
IN
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
six
six
NUM
CD
obl
Number=Plur
month
months
NOUN
NNS
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
are
AUX
VBP
conj
Degree=Pos
able
able
ADJ
JJ
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
add
add
VERB
VB
amod
Degree=Pos
new
new
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Plur
word
words
NOUN
NNS
case
to
to
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
their
their
PRON
PRP$
obl
Number=Sing
store
store
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (DT This) (NN self) (HYPH -) (NN imitation)) (VP (VBZ leads) (PRT (RP out)) (PP (IN to) (NP (NP (JJ deliberate) (NN imitation)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NP (NP (NNS sounds)) (VP (VBN made))) (CC or) (NP (NP (NNS words)) (VP (VBN spoken) (PP (IN to) (NP (PRP them))) (PP (IN by) (NP (JJ other) (NNS people)))))))))) (. .)))
This self - imitation leads out to deliberate imitation of sounds made or words spoken to them by other people.
det
Number=Sing|PronType=Dem
this
This
DET
DT
compound
Number=Sing
self
self
NOUN
NN
punct
-
-
PUNCT
HYPH
nsubj
Number=Sing
imitation
imitation
NOUN
NN
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
lead
leads
VERB
VBZ
compound:prt
out
out
ADP
RP
case
to
to
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
deliberate
deliberate
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Sing
imitation
imitation
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
Number=Plur
sound
sounds
NOUN
NNS
acl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
make
made
VERB
VBN
cc
or
or
CCONJ
CC
conj
Number=Plur
word
words
NOUN
NNS
acl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
speak
spoken
VERB
VBN
case
to
to
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
them
PRON
PRP
case
by
by
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
other
other
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Plur
person
people
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NN problem)) (ADVP (RB then)) (VP (VBZ arises) (PP (IN to) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN point)) (SBAR (WHPP (IN at) (WHNP (WDT which))) (S (NP (PRP one)) (VP (MD can) (VP (VB say) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (DT these) (NNS imitations)) (VP (MD can) (VP (VB be) (VP (VBN considered) (PP (IN as) (NP (NN speech))))))))))))))) (. .)))
The problem then arises to the point at which one can say that these imitations can be considered as speech.
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
The
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
problem
problem
NOUN
NN
advmod
PronType=Dem
then
then
ADV
RB
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
arise
arises
VERB
VBZ
case
to
to
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
point
point
NOUN
NN
case
at
at
ADP
IN
obl
PronType=Rel
which
which
PRON
WDT
nsubj
Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
one
one
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
acl:relcl
VerbForm=Inf
say
say
VERB
VB
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
det
Number=Plur|PronType=Dem
this
these
DET
DT
nsubj:pass
Number=Plur
imitation
imitations
NOUN
NNS
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
aux:pass
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
ccomp
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
consider
considered
VERB
VBN
case
as
as
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Sing
speech
speech
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP It)) (VP (VBZ is) (NP (NP (DT a) (NN problem)) (SBAR (S (NP (PRP we)) (VP (VBP need) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB get) (NP (PRP$ our) (NNS teeth)) (PP (IN into)))))))))) (. .)))
It is a problem we need to get our teeth into.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
It
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
root
Number=Sing
problem
problem
NOUN
NN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs
we
we
PRON
PRP
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
need
need
VERB
VBP
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
get
get
VERB
VB
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
our
our
PRON
PRP$
obj
Number=Plur
tooth
teeth
NOUN
NNS
obl
into
into
ADP
IN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (S (NP (NP (DT The) (NN meaning)) (PP (IN of) (NP (DT a) (NN word)))) (VP (VBZ depends) (PP (IN on) (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (NP (DT a) (JJ particular) (NN person)) (VP (VBZ means) (PP (IN by) (NP (PRP it))) (PP (IN in) (NP (DT a) (JJ particular) (NN situation))))))))) (CC and) (S (NP (NP (PRP it))) (VP (VBZ is) (ADJP (JJ clear)) (SBAR (IN that) (S (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (NP (DT a) (NN child)) (VP (VBZ means) (PP (IN by) (NP (DT a) (NN word)))))) (VP (MD will)))))) (. .)))
The meaning of a word depends on what a particular person means by it in a particular situation and it is clear that what a child means by a word will.
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
The
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
meaning
meaning
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
word
word
NOUN
NN
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
depend
depends
VERB
VBZ
case
on
on
SCONJ
IN
obl
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
particular
particular
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Sing
person
person
NOUN
NN
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
mean
means
VERB
VBZ
case
by
by
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
it
PRON
PRP
case
in
in
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
particular
particular
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Sing
situation
situation
NOUN
NN
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
expl
Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
it
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
conj
Degree=Pos
clear
clear
ADJ
JJ
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
obj
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
child
child
NOUN
NN
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
mean
means
VERB
VBZ
case
by
by
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
word
word
NOUN
NN
csubj
VerbForm=Fin
will
will
AUX
MD
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (VP (VB change) (SBAR (IN as) (S (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBZ gains) (NP (NP (JJR more) (NN experience)) (PP (IN of) (NP (DT the) (NN world)))))))) (. .)))
change as he gains more experience of the world.
root
Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin
change
change
VERB
VB
mark
as
as
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
gain
gains
VERB
VBZ
amod
Degree=Cmp
more
more
ADJ
JJR
obj
Number=Sing
experience
experience
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
world
world
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (ADVP (RB Thus)) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN use)) (, ,) (PP (IN at) (NP (CD seven) (NNS months))) (, ,) (PP (IN of) (`` ``) (NP (NN mama)) ('' '') (PP (IN as) (NP (NP (DT a) (NN greeting)) (PP (IN for) (NP (PRP$ his) (NN mother))))))) (VP (MD can) (RB not) (VP (VB be) (VP (VBN dismissed) (PP (IN as) (NP (DT a) (JJ meaningless) (NN sound))) (SBAR (ADVP (RB simply)) (IN because) (S (NP (PRP he)) (ADVP (RB also)) (VP (VBZ uses) (NP (PRP it)) (PP (IN at) (NP (DT another) (NN time))) (PP (IN for) (NP (NP (PRP$ his) (NN father)) (, ,) (NP (PRP$ his) (NN dog)) (, ,) (CC or) (NP (NP (NN anything) (JJ else)) (SBAR (S (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBZ likes))))))))))))) (. .)))
Thus the use, at seven months, of "mama" as a greeting for his mother cannot be dismissed as a meaningless sound simply because he also uses it at another time for his father, his dog, or anything else he likes.
advmod
thus
Thus
ADV
RB
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj:pass
Number=Sing
use
use
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
case
at
at
ADP
IN
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
seven
seven
NUM
CD
obl
Number=Plur
month
months
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
case
of
of
ADP
IN
punct
``
``
PUNCT
``
nmod
Number=Sing
mama
mama
NOUN
NN
punct
''
''
PUNCT
''
case
as
as
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
greeting
greeting
NOUN
NN
case
for
for
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
his
his
PRON
PRP$
nmod
Number=Sing
mother
mother
NOUN
NN
aux
VerbForm=Fin
can
can
AUX
MD
advmod
not
not
PART
RB
aux:pass
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
root
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
dismiss
dismissed
VERB
VBN
case
as
as
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
meaningless
meaningless
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Sing
sound
sound
NOUN
NN
advmod
simply
simply
ADV
RB
mark
because
because
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
advmod
also
also
ADV
RB
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
use
uses
VERB
VBZ
obj
Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
it
PRON
PRP
case
at
at
ADP
IN
det
another
another
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
time
time
NOUN
NN
case
for
for
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
his
his
PRON
PRP$
nmod
Number=Sing
father
father
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
his
his
PRON
PRP$
conj
Number=Sing
dog
dog
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
or
or
CCONJ
CC
conj
Number=Sing|PronType=Ind
anything
anything
PRON
NN
amod
Degree=Pos
else
else
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
like
likes
VERB
VBZ
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NP (NP (ADJP (JJ Playful) (CC and) (JJ meaningless)) (NN imitation)) (PP (IN of) (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (NP (JJ other) (NNS people)) (VP (VBP say) (SBAR (S (VP (VBZ continues) (SBAR (IN after) (S (NP (DT the) (NN child)) (VP (VBZ has) (VP (VBN begun) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB speak) (PP (IN for) (NP (PRP himself))))))))))))))))) (. .)))
Playful and meaningless imitation of what other people say continues after the child has begun to speak for himself.
amod
Degree=Pos
playful
Playful
ADJ
JJ
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Degree=Pos
meaningless
meaningless
ADJ
JJ
root
Number=Sing
imitation
imitation
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
amod
Degree=Pos
other
other
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Plur
person
people
NOUN
NNS
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
say
say
VERB
VBP
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
continue
continues
VERB
VBZ
mark
after
after
SCONJ
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
child
child
NOUN
NN
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
have
has
AUX
VBZ
advcl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
begin
begun
VERB
VBN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
speak
speak
VERB
VB
case
for
for
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes
himself
himself
PRON
PRP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBP doubt) (, ,) (ADVP (RB however)) (, ,) (SBAR (IN whether) (S (NP (NN anything)) (VP (VBZ is) (VP (VBN gained) (SBAR (WHADVP (WRB when)) (S (NP (NNS parents)) (VP (VBP take) (NP (NN advantage)) (PP (IN of) (NP (PRP$ his) (NN ability))) (PP (IN in) (NP (DT an) (NN attempt) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB teach) (NP (JJ new) (NNS words))))))))))))))) (. .)))
I doubt, however, whether anything is gained when parents take advantage of his ability in an attempt to teach new words.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
doubt
doubt
VERB
VBP
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
however
however
ADV
RB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
mark
whether
whether
SCONJ
IN
nsubj:pass
Number=Sing|PronType=Ind
anything
anything
PRON
NN
aux:pass
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
ccomp
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
gain
gained
VERB
VBN
advmod
PronType=Int
when
when
ADV
WRB
nsubj
Number=Plur
parent
parents
NOUN
NNS
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
take
take
VERB
VBP
obj
Number=Sing
advantage
advantage
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
his
his
PRON
PRP$
nmod
Number=Sing
ability
ability
NOUN
NN
case
in
in
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
an
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
attempt
attempt
NOUN
NN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
acl
VerbForm=Inf
teach
teach
VERB
VB
amod
Degree=Pos
new
new
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Plur
word
words
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
Language learning begins with listening. Children are greatly different in the amount of listening they do before they start speaking, and later starters are often long listeners. Most children will "obey" spoken instructions some time before they can speak, though the word "obey" is hardly exact as a description of the eager and delighted co- operation usually shown by the child. Before they can speak, many children will also ask questions by gestures and by making questioning noises.  Any attempt to study the development from the noises babies make to their first spoken words leads to considerable difficulties. It's agreed that they enjoy making noises, and that during the first few months one or two noises sort themselves out as particular expression like delight, pain, friendliness and so on. But since these can't be said to show the baby's intention to communicate, they can hardly be regarded as early forms of language. It is agreed too, that from about three months they play with sounds for enjoyment, and that by six months they are able to add new words to their store. This self - imitation leads out to deliberate imitation of sounds made or words spoken to them by other people. The problem then arises to the point at which one can say that these imitations can be considered as speech.  It is a problem we need to get our teeth into. The meaning of a word depends on what a particular person means by it in a particular situation and it is clear that what a child means by a word will. change as he gains more experience of the world. Thus the use, at seven months, of "mama" as a greeting for his mother cannot be dismissed as a meaningless sound simply because he also uses it at another time for his father, his dog, or anything else he likes. Playful and meaningless imitation of what other people say continues after the child has begun to speak for himself. I doubt, however, whether anything is gained when parents take advantage of his ability in an attempt to teach new words.