Language has oral, written and non-verbal aspects, which can be seen and heard and which are influenced socially and culturally. Although languages have common characteristics, these social and cultural influences also create great diversity between languages and varieties, often leading to the perception that some varieties have greater value or status. Furthermore, social and cultural context plays an important role in meaning creation. Children develop language as a result of social and cultural interactions, based on a growing awareness of the functions of language and how language can be used. This understanding of different types and uses of language increases as children experience language outside the home. As their understanding of these different roles of language grows, children gain the ability to select and use language appropriate for a particular context
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