Chapter 9

Question 1

Langauge

Answer 1

A symbolic system in which a limited number of signals can be combined according to rules to produce an infinite number of messages

Question 2

Morphemes

Answer 2

The basic units of meaning that exists in a word

Question 3

Syntax

Answer 3

Rules specifying how words can be combined to form meaningful sentences in language

Question 4

Semantics

Answer 4

The aspect of language centering on meanings

Question 5

Pragmatics

Answer 5

Rules specifying how language is to be used appropriately in different in social contexts to achieve goals

Question 6

Prosody

Answer 6

The melody or sound pattern of speech, including intonation, stress, and timing with which something is said

Question 7

Aphasia

Answer 7

A language disorder

Question 8

Universal Grammar

Answer 8

A system of common rules and properties of language that may allow infants to grow up learning any of the world’s languages.

Question 9

Langauge Acquisition Device

Answer 9

A set of linguistic processing skills that nativists believe to be innate; presumably the LAD enables a child to infer the rules governing others’ speech and then use these rules to produce language.

Question 10

Poverty of Stimulus (POTS)

Answer 10

Children could not possibly acquire such an incredibly complex communication system with the limited linguistic input they receive

Question 11

Child-Directed Speech

Answer 11

The speech adults use with infants and young children: short, simple sentences spoken slowly, in a higher-pitched voice and with an altered quality that seems to help engage infants as they are trying to decipher these vocalizations

Question 12

Word Segmentation

Answer 12

The ability to break the stream of speech sounds into distinct words