Language development after extreme childhood deprivation: a case study

The atypical linguistic processing and cognitive development of previously institutionalised, adopted Romanian children who were socially deprived from birth are being researched using a neurolinguistic theory of development. Of particular concern is the Critical Period Hypothesis (C.P.H.) which holds that the capacity for language can only develop in response to relevant stimulation during a pre-determined period in childhood. The impetus for this research derives from the need to understand the course of human ontogenetic development in abnormal circumstances. The specific focus of the research is the process of first language acquisition in children who have suffered extreme social deprivation at an early age. The crucial research issue concerns the extent to which normal language acquisition is still possible given an initial social environment which is largely language-less and lacking in social stimulation and interaction. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to attempt to analyse what these children can tell us about the potential for language development in the face of such deprived circumstances. In order to examine this, a theory of neurolinguistic development (Locke, 1994, 1996) will be applied to the case study of a previously institutionalised Romanian child, Maria. A key question will be addressed: Has Maria’s early deprivation set for her an irreversible path in terms of attaining normal language development?