İngiliz Dilinde Çocuk Tasavvuru ve Değişimi

Abstract

Throughout human history, societies had some form of functioning social system, and adopted various institutions to maintain them. The family is probably the most significant within these institutions. In this context, the position and function of children for the continuity of this institu-tion has always been an important issue for the role claimed for the family. Therefore, the issue and concept of children and certainly their reflections on language sheds light on society. This article aims to discuss childhood and the concept of child in English. Thus, words referring to child as a being, their meanings and changes in their meanings will further be discussed. Furthermore, it will be put forth that the concept of child cannot be restricted to a period and that it transforms itself along with changes in society. The reason for choosing the English language is that it provides an appropriate base to analyse and discuss the matter; nevertheless, this change is not restricted to the English language, but also true for other Western languages and societies.