Receptive language

Receptive Language

Receptive language (/rɪˈsɛptɪv ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/) refers to the ability to understand information. It involves understanding the words, sentences and meaning of what others say or what is read.

Etymology

The term "receptive" comes from the Latin word "receptivus", which means "able to receive", and "language" comes from the Latin word "lingua", which means "tongue" or "speech".

Related Terms

Expressive language: This is the ability to use words and sentences to express oneself.
Communication: This is the process of exchanging information and ideas.
Language development: This is the process by which children come to understand and communicate language during early childhood.
Speech and language pathology: This is a field of expertise practiced by a clinician known as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), also called speech and language therapist, or speech therapist.

Understanding Receptive Language

Receptive language involves being able to understand both the words that are spoken and what is read. It's more than just hearing words. It's also about understanding those words and making sense of what is said or read.

Receptive language skills are important in all aspects of life, from understanding instructions at work or school, to following a recipe, to understanding a news article.