Abstract：This article reviews the Professor Li Yuming’s new book titled Early Years of Life: Language Diary of a Chinese Girl, which is believed to be the world’s longest documentation of the developmental trajectory of language acquisition and growth of a child from her birth to the age of six. The book is an encyclopedia of individual child language acquisition and cognitive development. This paper discusses the scholarly values and social significance of the book from two fields: the study of child language development and the study of child development. First, the book is a treasure house for child language studies and inspires readers in three aspects: 1. Detailed observation is the cornerstone for child language studies; 2. Child language development should be conducted through longitudinal observations and holistic recording of child growth; 3. The book provides space for multidisciplinary study of children’s language. Secondly, the book can serve as a database for child development and child education. As a holistic record of child cognitive development, it sets a model for the study of early child education. In conclusion, the book has great value in promoting the study of child language development in China. Its publication will inspire broad attention to and reflection on child education in China.
李晋霞. 儿童语言研究与儿童发展研究的宝库——读李宇明教授《人生初年——一名中国女孩的语言日志》[J]. 语言战略研究, 2020, 5(3): 89-96.
Li Jinxia. A Treasure House for Studies on Child Language and Child Development: A Review of Early Years of Life: Language Diary of a Chinese Girl. , 2020, 5(3): 89-96.
