The Role of Children in Language Growth

The Role of Children in Language Growth examines the dynamic and often underappreciated contributions of young learners to the development and evolution of language. In the context of protactile language—a touch-based communication system designed for the DeafBlind community—children play a vital role in shaping and expanding the language's grammar and vocabulary. As DeafBlind children learn and experiment with protactile language, they introduce novel linguistic patterns and expressions, enriching the language and making it more versatile. Our research seeks to understand and document these contributions, highlighting the creativity and linguistic ingenuity of DeafBlind children. By recognizing the role of children in language growth, we can better support the continued development of protactile language as a robust and accessible means of communication for the DeafBlind community.