9.1 Flashcards
Language
A system for communicating with others using signals that are combined according to rules of grammar and that convey meaning.
Grammar
A set of rules that specify how the units of language can be combined to produce meaningful messages.
Phonemes
The smallest unit of sound that is recognizable as speech rather than as random noise.
Phonological Rules
A set of rules that indicate how phonemes can be combined to produce speech sounds.
Morphemes
The smallest meaningful units of language.
Morphological Rules
A set of rules that indicate how morphemes can be combined to form words.
Syntactical Rules
A set of rules that indicate how words can be combined to form phrases and sentences.
“Deep Structure” of a sentence
The meaning of a sentence
“Surface Structure” of a sentence
How a sentence is structured
Fast Mapping
The process whereby children can map a word onto an underlying concept after only a single exposure.
Telegraphic Speech
Usually two-word sentences; speech that is devoid of function morphemes and consists mostly of content words.
Usually just nouns and verbs
What is Nativist Theory?
Argues that humans are pre-programmed with the innate ability to develop language
Associated with Chomsky
What’s an LAD?
Language Acquisition Device
A collection of processes that facilitate language learning.
Approx. how many human languages are there?
4000
3 major characteristics of language development
Children learn language at an astonishing rate
Children make few errors while learning to speak
Children’s passive memory develops faster than their active mastery
