Language Development in Normal Libyan Children

Abstract
Background: Language is central to social life; language development is a cornerstone for successful outcomes later in life. Language refers to the entire system of expressing and receiving information in a way that's meaningful. Language consist of four dimension, the sound system (phonology), the system of meaning (semantics), the rules of sentences formation (syntax) and function or use of language includes (pragmatics) that consists of the goals of language. The Language devel-opment is a complex, dynamic and progressive process. It involves detection of complex patterns and improvement of language competencies. Language development may affected by various factors as neurobiological factors, culture and psychosocial factors. Background history and formal testing are important in assess language development. Early interven-tion for language difficulties are very important also. The earlier language intervention is implemented, the better results will found.
Aim of Work: The aim of this study is to evaluate language development in normal Arabic Speaking Libyan Children in order to identify the normal developmental language aptitudes in such population.
Study Design: A descriptive research design was used to achieve the aim of this study.
Patients and Methods: The subject of this study comprised a convenient sample of 120 normal Arabic Libyan children with age range between 3 months and 7 years. Modified Arabic (PLS-4) Test, Articulation test Standford Binnia test and audiological evaluation were done for all children.
Results: The Standred score of Arabic PLS-4 was below normal (77.5) in of cases (56.6%) while it was high in (43.33%). Both receptive and expressive difficulties was found in 30% of children. A highly significant statistical correlation between total language age, receptive language age and expressive language age with chronological age was found. In addition, the study revealed that children more than 6 years and the children from 3-4 years have delayed in receptive language score, expressive language score and total language score regarding their chronological age.
Conclusion: The normal Arabic Libyan children was found to be delayed in language development in age groups (more than 6y) and (3-4y) according to standred score in PLS-4. These result will be use to formulate a language aprofile for normal Arabic Libyan children.