LANGUAGE ACQUISITION OF A 3 YEARS OLD CHILD IN TERMS OF PHONOLOGY, MORPHOLOGY, AND SEMANTIC ASPECT

Abstract

Language acquisition in early childhood is influenced by both cognitive development and social interaction. Psycholinguistics explains how children naturally learn language through mental processes and daily communication. This study observes a three-year-old child, Bulan, focusing on phonology, morphology, and semantics while highlighting the role of the family environment and parental interaction in supporting language acquisition. This study utilized a descriptive qualitative approach to observe a three-year-old child named Bulan Sabira Azka in her home surroundings over a period of two weeks. Data were collected through observation and recording of daily speech, then analyzed using thematic coding and interactive models. The study focused on early language acquisition in real-life settings using linguistic and theoretical frameworks. During the two weeks of observation, Bulan demonstrated language acquisition in the aspects of phonology, morphology, and semantics. She experienced a simplification of sounds, rudimentary word formation, and already intelligible meanings. Although not yet stable, his speech reflects the process of natural language acquisition through social interaction in the home environment. This study examines the phonological, morphological, and semantic language acquisition of a three-year-old child. This study suggests that Bulan streamlines sounds and morphemes yet still communicates meaning successfully. Despite some inaccuracies, Bulan's language use reflects a growing understanding of actions, flavors, and colors. Bulan's linguistic growth displays a natural trajectory that is greatly influenced by social interactions and a supportive home environment.