What Is Language?

Language is how we both understand and express ourselves to others. Receptive Language refers to our understanding of others. There are a multitude of skills represented within our receptive language skills, encompassing all of the concrete concepts and ambiguous information we need to work with others in our community. Expressive Language, is our ability to communicate ideas, wants and needs. These areas of skill include both reading and writing.
If a person has difficulty understanding verbal commands, does not understand what words mean, or has difficulty understanding writing language, they may have a Receptive Language Disorder. If a person a person is unable to share thoughts, ideas, or communicate effectively, they may have an Expressive Language Disorder. It is possible to have both at the same time.

This page has charts containing language milestones, or an inventory of skills that children should be exhibiting at specific ages:

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