"Erika Hoff's Language Development communicates both the content and the excitement of this quickly evolving field. By presenting a balanced treatment that examines all sides of arguments, the author helps readers understand different theoretical points of view - and the research process that has led theorists to their findings. After an overview and history of the field, Hoff presents thorough coverage of the biological bases of language development and the core topics of phonological, lexical, and syntactic development, as well as development of communicative competence, language development in special populations, and childhood bilingualism. "--BOOK JACKET.