5. Language Flashcards
Phonology
Rules controlling the structure and sequence of speech sounds
Comprehending and producing sound patterns
e.g. sounds b & d
Semantics
Rules concerning vocabulary
How meaning is conveyed through word choice
Learn to combine & modify words
Grammar
Syntax - rules concerning how words are arranged into sentences
Morphology - combination of sounds
*Morphemes:
Primary: wait
Secondary: waited, in order to make sense
Syntax
Rules concerning how words are arranged into sentences
Syntax
Rules concerning how words are arranged into sentences
Rules of language that we have to follow
Pragmatics
Rules concerning the use of effective and appropriate communication
Appropriate use of language in context & situations
Conversational manners like taking turns
Sociolinguistic knowledge
Language rules determined by society and culture
Learning/Empiricist Perspective
Language is learned by reinforcement
Learn from caregiver
Children are congratulated when speaking correctly
Motherese: baby talk
*Infant directed speech
Learning perspective - errors made by children
*Recasting
Expanding: parents expand child’s vocab
e.g. child says ball, parents say big, blue ball
Criticism of Learning/Empiricist Perspective
Not everything can be reinforced - would have to reinforce after every sentence
Grammar rules cannot be learned through imitation
No biology
Nativist Perspective
Chomsky
Language has a biological basis and is unique to humans
Language Acquisition Device (LAD)
Universal grammar
Nativist - LAD
Language Acquisition Device
An innate system allowing children to produce and understand grammatically consistent sentences/phrases
Contains universal grammar
Basis: grammar rules are too complex for children to learn so they must have some innate ability to understand
Nativist - Universal Grammar
An innate system within the LAD, containing universal grammar rules shared by all humans
Proposed explanation for how children across the world can learn different grammatical rules and diverse languages
Shows how we pick up language so young & quickly
Nativist Evidence
Children are able to create their own language systems
Teaching language to animals - animals cannot learn language, even chimps
Broca’s Area
Supports grammatical processing & production of language
Left frontal lobe
