Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define language
A “complex and dynamic system of conventional symbols that is used in various modes for thought and communication”
The translation of one kind of information into another using symbols
Code
Smallest units of language that carry meaning
Morphemes
The relationship between a word and its referent is…?
Arbitrary
What are the four characteristics of language?
Language is a system of symbols/code, conventional, dynamic, and a tool for human communication
The process of sharing information among two or more people
Communication
What is modularity?
A cognitive science theory that questions whether the brain is composed of several different modules or is itself a module
A specialized problem-solving device in the brain
A module
What are the types of modules?
Domain specific modules: can process specific types of information
Domain general modules: can carry out more general tasks such as memory and reasoning
The neuromuscular process by which language is turned into a sound signal and transmitted to a receiver
Speech
What are the four systems of speech?
Respiration, phonation, resonation, articulation
What are the four acoustic events involved in the transmission and reception of speech?
- Creation of a sound source
- Vibration of air particles
- Reception by the ear
- Comprehension by the brain
What is auditory overshadowing?
When children have a preference for auditory information (as compared to visual)
Define coarticulation
Phonemes overlapping during phonemic production
What are the four processes involved in communication?
Formulation, transmission, reception, and comprehension
Define pre-intentional communication
Other people assume a relationship between a communicative behavior and its referent (a baby’s cry)
Define intentional communication
The relationship between the communicative behavior and referent is not arbitrary
Three reasons to communicate:
To request, to reject, or to comment
What is linguistic feedback?
Verbalized/spoken feedback
What is non/extralinguistic feedback?
The use of eye contact, posture, facial expression, proximity, etc.
What is paralinguistic feedback?
Using vocal cues such as pitch, loudness, and pausing
What is the primary purpose of communication?
To provide and solicit feedback
What are the major domains of language?
Form, content, and use
How words, sentences, and sound are organized and arranged to convey meaning
Form
The words used and their meaning
Content
How people draw on language functionally to meet needs
Use
Our vocabulary system is also known as…?
Lexicon
What is contextualized language vs decontextualized language?
Contextualized language focuses on the immediate context, whereas decontextualized language has little or no context provided
What are the five components of language?
Phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
What is phonology?
The rules of language governing the sounds that make syllables and words
What is syntax?
The rules of language governing the internal organization of sentences
What is morphology?
The rules of language governing the internal organization of words
What is semantics?
The rules of language governing the meaning of individual words and word combinations
What is pragmatics?
The rules of language governing language use for social purposes
What are the remarkable features of language?
Acquisition rate, universality, species specificity, semanticity, and productivity
What is universality?
The idea that all people learn language using the same processes and cognitive infrastructure
What is species specificity?
The idea that the complexity of human language far exceeds the language of any other animal
What does semanticity allow?
Semanticity allows people to represent decontextualized events (share past or previous events)
What is productivity?
The idea that we can endlessly create using the same small number of units of language
Define language differences
The variability among language users
Define dialect
The natural variations of a language that evolve within specific cultural or geographic boundaries
What is code-switching?
Interchanges between the syntax and vocabulary of two languages
What is simultaneous vs sequential bilinguism?
Simultaneous bilinguism is when two languages are acquired at the same time, and sequential bilinguism is when one language is acquired first, and the second one later
What is associated with accelerated rates of language development?
Higher caregiver responsiveness
What is the most common type of communication impairment in children?
Specific language impairment (SLI)
What percentage of children are affected by SLI?
7-10%
