Chapter 1 Test

Question 1

Neurolinguistics

Answer 1

Branch of linguistics that involves the structure and function of the brain in regards to language acquisition, learning, and use

Question 2

Synapses

Answer 2

Connections in the brain formed when learning or experiencing new things

Question 3

Experience expectant

Answer 3

Synapses not used or favored by experience die out

Question 4

Experience dependent

Answer 4

Synapses are produced as needed, rather than ahead of time

Question 5

Dual coding

Answer 5

The belief that infants’ experiences and emotions influence cognition

Question 6

“Red Flag” Behavior

Answer 6

(3 months) Child does not react to sudden noises; doesn’t seem to look at faces or objects; unusually quiet, no cooing; doesn’t develop different cries for different needs. (Up to 14 months) doesn’t follow simple directions, doesn’t use a variety of nonverbal communications; isn’t experimenting with sounds. (Up to 28-30 months) inconsistent response to words/directions; needs a lot of repetition; easily forgets simple routines; speech is unintelligible. (Up to 36 months) unable to follow more complex directions; lacks interest in things; overly dependent on caregivers and family for communication; not speaking in sentences of three to four words

Question 7

Skinner’s theory

Answer 7

Behaviorist/Environmentalist Theory: reactions of the people in a child’s environment have an important effect on a child’s language development

Question 8

Gesell’s theory

Answer 8

Maturational (Normative) theory: children are primarily a product of genetic inheritance and environmental influences are secondary

Question 9

Chomsky’s theor

Answer 9

Predetermined/Innatist Theory: language acquisition is considered innate (a predetermined human capacity); everybody possesses a language acquisition device (LAD)

Question 10

Vygotsky’s theory

Answer 10

Cognitive-Transactional and Interactionist Theory: language acquisition develops from basic social and emotional drives; drives stem from a need for love and care, and the need prompts language acquisition

Question 11

Clay’s theory

Answer 11

Constructivist Theory: children acquire knolwedge by constructing it mentally in interaction with the environment; points to children’s speech errors in grammar

Question 12

Piaget’s theory

Answer 12

Cognitive-Developmental Theory: language is acquired as maturation occurs and cognitive competencies develop; language appears when children’s growth reaches a point where they use and manipulate symbols

Question 13

Assimilation

Answer 13

(Piaget) Taking in new information or experiences and incorporating them into our existing ideas.

Question 14

Accomodation

Answer 14

(Piaget) new information and experiences modify your existing schemas; changing the schema to accommodate the new information rather than fitting new info into it

Question 15

Language acquisition

Answer 15

The process by which we learn to speak, write, or even use sign language in meaningful ways to communicate

Question 16

Zone of proximal development

Answer 16

difference between what a child can do on their own and what they can do with assistance

Question 17

Linguistics

Answer 17

The study of language

Question 18

Phonology

Answer 18

Study of sound-symbol relations in a language

Question 19

Morphology

Answer 19

Study and knolwedge of the smallest, most basic units of meaning in oral language

Question 20

Syntax

Answer 20

How morphemes (or words) are combined to form sentences or units of thought

Question 21

Semantics

Answer 21

The subtle shades of meaning that language can convey

Question 22

Pragmatics

Answer 22

Use of language to communicate intent in real life; rules of engagement and communication

Question 23

Prosody

Answer 23

The way something is said

Question 24

Stress

Answer 24

Changing the meaning of a word by changing how you say individual sounds “tomato/tomāto”

Question 25

Intonation

Answer 25

Changing your pitch to indicate expression as you move through a sentence or phrase. “they’re coming”

Question 26

Inflectional morphology

Answer 26

word endings added to change verb tense, possession, or plurality or to make comparisons

Question 27

Overgeneralizations

Answer 27

Assumptions that a particular word follows a regular pattern when it actually folllows an irregular pattern

Question 28

Compound morphology

Answer 28

Two lexicals that make a new word

Question 29

Idioms

Answer 29

Expression not understood from the individual parts

Question 30

What are some environmental conditions that could positively and negatively affect brain growth?

Answer 30

The quantity and quality of sound a child’s ears receive, immersion, demonstration, engagement (paying close attention), expectations (communicate to the child that she will learn to talk), conversation-like interactions before child can speak a word), response (feedback responses from people in their environment).

Question 31

What should caregivers do to stimulate brain function in infants and toddlers according to brain researchers?

Answer 31

Encourage eye contact and shared reference, modeling and practicing exchange of roles between speaker and listener, using child-directed speech (careful and understandable language and utterances), verbally mapping (detailing) objecs and actions, asking children questions, linguistic scaffolding (assisting children in improving their language).

Question 32

What are some ways that infants can communicate with parents and caregivers?

Answer 32

Vocal and body cues, using different noises, crying, smiling and laughing and other expressions, babbling, gesturing, reaching, signing.

Question 33

What ares some of the first types of words that infants use? When do those milestones occur?

Answer 33

Usually nouns, proper nouns, and greetings come first. Usually occur around 12 months of age.

Question 34

Explain the difference between Broca’s Aphasia and Wernicke’s Aphasia.

Answer 34

Broca’s has to do with impairments to speech production, speed and grammatical structure (comprehension remains intact), while Wernicke’s has to do not with fluency, but rather with comprehension and constructing meaningful sentences.

Question 35

Explain the verbal and non-verbal characteristics of adult interaction when using parentese, as well as benefits from using parentese.

Answer 35

High-pitched, vowel-rich, singsong kind of of talk. Playful, animated warm, even giddy. Vowels are lingered over, phrases are repeated. Fostering eye contact. Parentese is good for the child because infants can pick up higher pitched sounds better, and it allows the babies many opportunities to see and hear how sounds are made and, thus, learn how to control their own vocal points.

Question 36

Four Stages of Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory

Answer 36

1. Sensorimotor stage in which children are prelinguistic, 2. Preoperational stage, (2-7) begin to represent the world with words, images, and drawings, 3. Concrete Operational: children begin to think logically about concrete events and begin to understand the concept of conservation. Become less egocentric. 4. Formal Operational Stage: (12+) Abstract thought emerges, engage in deeper thought.

Question 37

Considering pragmatics, what must a competent languae user learn to do?

Answer 37

Be able to engage correctly in conversations with others, start and continue conversations, take turns, know when and how to interrupt, use cues to show subject interests, and be able to carefully change subjects. Should also be conscious of inflection and other spoken cues, as well as body language.

Question 38

What are the required steps needed for speech to occur in children?

Answer 38

Child needs to develop physically in order for his body’s parts to work together to formulate speech. Respiratory system supplies the necessary energy. Larynx’s vibrating folds produce voice (phonation.) The larynx, mouth, and nose influence the child’s voice quality (resonation). Final formation of mouth, tongue, and jaw to articulate finer sounds.

Question 39

Which language theory/theorist is relevant to your upcoming career?

Answer 39

As an elementary school teacher, Skinner’s environmentalist theory seems most relevant because, going along with his theory that children’s language development is highly influenced by responses from others and through social interaction, the hours of interaction that my students have with each other and with me in the classroom hold a substantial amount of opportunity to foster good language development through the way I model appropriate use of language and conversation, and through how I set up interactions and discussions among my students.

Question 40

Cognition

Answer 40

Process that creates mental images, concepts, and operations