The flowing quotation outlines the function of semantic memory in relation to language production Semantic memory is the system that you use to store your knowledge of the world. It is a knowledge base that we all have and much of which we can access quickly and effortlessly. It includes our memory of the meanings of words - the kind of memory that lets us recall not only the names of the world's great capitals, but also social customs, the functions of things, and their colour and odour.

( What are semantic memories?)

3. The stages of language production and semantic memory

As has been discussed above, semantic memory is memory that is shared and common to the language users. It enables the understanding and recognition of an accepted view of reality in society and culture. It therefore stands to reason that language in terms of linguistic norms and vocabulary would not be possible without semantic memory.

In the various stages of language production and creation from childhood to adulthood, semantic memory plays an essential role in the development of language skills. This is summarized as follows:

In semantic memory, the brain stores information about words, what they look like and represent, and how they are used in an organized way. It is unusual for a person to forget the meaning of the word "dictionary" or to be unable to conjure up a visual image of a refrigerator when the word is heard or read" (Semantic Memory).

In the earlier stages of language acquisition theorist like Skinner believes that language is acquired through conditioning and environment. This is the period when word assimilation and vocabulary is developed. An important part of this early process is the learning of language through imitation. This would also tend to suggest that this is an important period for the creation of semantic memory and the learning of general and conceptual responses...

They also note that the use of semantic memory is very active in the later stages of childhood"… as children are constantly encountering new concepts which must be defined and filed away in the semantic memory" ( What is Semantic Memory?).
In the later stages of language development semantic memory continues to add to the language skills and proficiency in the growing child and ad young adult. This relates to that fact that language learning is a continuous and dynamic process. The literature on this subject states that there is an increasing body of evidence that semantic memory is a dynamic system which develops and relies on network of associations. The link between semantic memory and language is also underlined by the fact that in old age and in cases of dementia the semantic memory tends to fade, which results in an inability among many older people to remember words and concepts. This in turn makes their interaction and communication with others very problematic, a fact which underscores the importance of this form of memory in language development and production

References

Learning and Conditioning. Retrieved July 13, 2009, from http://www.scribd.com/doc/11255529/AP-Psychology-Review-Part-3?autodown=pdf

Linguistics. Retrieved July 13, 2009, from http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/3920/?200914>

Semantic Memory. Retrieved July 13, 2009, from http://www.enotes.com/gale-psychology-encyclopedia/semantic-memory

What are semantic memories? Retrieved July 13, 2009, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/memory/understand/semantic_memories.shtml

What is Semantic Memory? Retrieved July 13, 2009, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-semantic-memory.htm