This is a free resource with information about pediatric language development milestones. Vocabulary: Different Kinds of Language. Children may have difficulties with one or more of these domains. Receptive language refers to language comprehension, the ability to understand information that is read or heard. Expressive language refers to language production, the act of communicating wants and needs with others in either gestural, verbal, or written form. Pragmatic language, also thought of as "social language," refers to the way children use language to communicate and connect with others.