The Development of Language, authored by Jean Gleason and published by Pearson in its 9th edition on March 2, 2016, delves into the multifaceted journey of language acquisition across the lifespan. Featuring contributions from distinguished scholars, this comprehensive text explores linguistic milestones from infancy through middle school years, highlighting recent advancements in understanding early language achievements.

Through a multi-disciplinary lens, the book investigates language development within biological, social, and cultural contexts. It also delves into individual differences, atypical development, literacy acquisition, and adult language development. Each chapter is meticulously crafted by leading experts, offering summaries, key term lists, a glossary defining critical terms, and extensive video resources that illustrate concepts through child communication behaviors, research methodologies, and interviews with influential figures in the field.

The 9th edition has been updated to include new insights on language development for children learning languages other than English or those who are bilingual. It also addresses the needs of children at risk of language delays or disorders, providing a thorough examination of potential challenges and variations in language acquisition processes. Cultural influences that shape diverse linguistic environments and profiles of development are explored throughout the text.