Language development during adolescence may not appear as profound as in previous developmental periods, but there is definite development during this time in grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. As the social aspects of adolescents’ lives become increasingly important, so do social language skills, such as conversation, debate, and persuasion.

Grammar, Syntax, and Vocabulary Development

Syntax during this period grows increasingly complex as adolescents become more aware of the rules and structure of sentences. The improvement in systematic, abstract thinking allows adolescents to comprehend the sorts of higher-order abstract logic inherent in puns, proverbs, metaphors, and analogies. Their increased cognitive abilities allow them to appreciate the ways in which language can be used to convey multiple messages, such as satire, metaphor, and sarcasm. (Children younger than age 9 often cannot comprehend sarcasm at all.) This also permits the application of advanced reasoning and logical processes to social and ideological matters, such as interpersonal relationships, politics, philosophy, religion, morality, friendship, faith, fairness, and honesty. Adolescents’ vocabulary also continues to expand during this period. Their expanding metacognition results in the use or increase in the use of metacognitive verbs (believe, realize, remember) (Wallis et al., 2022).

Language Development

Adolescents’ ability to communicate in social instances is also developing and becoming increasingly important due to their shifting social priorities. During this time, they improve in their use of the various aspects of pragmatics, key components of language that are important in social contexts. Pragmatics involves the ability to adapt one’s expression and linguistics in social situations and includes behaviors such as eye contact, social greetings, conversation starters, body language, facial expression, and conversation maintenance.

Diversity in Language

Adolescence is a period of identity formation, and language is a key aspect of identity that we often overlook. Language development goes beyond grammar and syntax to include linguistic styles. Think about how your identity is reinforced by your linguistic style. Furthermore, how might your identity be reinforced by the language(s) you speak? For example, if your first language is Xhosa (pronunciation: [kǁʰóːsa]) and not English, then this connection to South Africa or Zimbabwe is reinforced as part of your identity. Diversity in language is important in adolescence as individuals are defining their social identity and often moving away from their parent’s linguistic style or their first language.

Culturally Specific Language

Using a culturally specific language can keep adolescents connected to their first language and the culture of their family’s heritage through meaning-making. However, it can also create barriers for adolescents who belong to an underrepresented group in a homogeneous social environment. Meaning-making is influenced by the words available and how they are arranged and used in an individual’s culturally specific language. Language also includes references to objects that are specific to a culture, further reinforcing the connection between language culture, cultural identity, and an adolescent’s identity development. Language can promote positive identity connections for adolescents who are able to share these same connections in their social groups. Adolescents may also experience a reorganization of language as they move away from their parent’s language system to one more like that of their social peer group.

Dual Language Programs

Given the connection between culture and language, dual language programs can positively influence how adolescents learn about another culture. This type of immersion into a language provides a fast track to cultural knowledge. However, for students learning English as a second language, there is still a learning curve that is heavily influenced by family, neighborhood, and community (National Academies Press, 2017). Given the socioeconomic factors that influence learning capacity in general, the capacity to learn a second language varies greatly in dual language programs.

Licenses and Attributions for Language Development in Adolescence

“Language Development in Adolescence” by Kelly Hoke is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

“Grammar, Syntax, and Vocabulary Development” and “Language Development” are adapted and remixed from Lifespan Development by Julie Lazzara is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

“Diversity in language” and subsections by Kelly Hoke is licensed under CC BY 4.0.