I Introduction Object of the work. Sources of the data. Arrangement of the work. II Some Characteristics of Language SECTION I. THE BEGINNINGS III Early Utterance IV Early Response to Speech SECTION II. TWO IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE CHILD S SPEECH V Babbling VI Limitation SECTION III THE FIRST ACQUISITION OF CONVENTIONAL SPEECH VII The Beginning of Comprehension of Conventional Speech VIII The Beginning of Meaning of Conventional Speech IX The Nature of This Progress SECTION IV. THE APPROACH TO THE CONCEPTUAL USE OF SPEECH X The Mastery of Conventional Forms XI The Expansion of Meaning XII Further Progress in Conventional Use