As we have already learned, the processes of an abrupt loss of the native language and an accelerated learning of the English language, have profound effect on the development of your child; and they will continue to effect in various ways schooling, emotional and behavioral aspects of your child's life for many years to come. Thus, it's important for every internationally adopting parent to understand at least the basics of these processes. In this unit we will look closer at language as a psychological function.

Language is a psychological function that mediates practically all other psychological competencies, such as perception, memory, emotions, cognition, goal-oriented behavior, motivation, and others. Let us look first at the specifics of two major domains of language usage, often referred to as communicative (or social) language and cognitive (or academic) language.