Communication

Question 1

nature

Answer 1

• language is not part of human nature
• biological
• genetic
• should be thought of the way we think ducks swimming- just something they do

Question 2

nurture

Answer 2

• language is nurtured into young people by adults and peers
• cultural
• learned

Question 3

problems with nature vs nurture

Answer 3

• growing idea that language is a gene-environment interaction
• an outcome which requires both certain genes and a certain environment to develop

Question 4

domain general

Answer 4

• language is learnt

- general pattern learning and apply this to language that we experience in environment

Question 5

domain specific

Answer 5

• language is leant
• specialized ability to learn the intricate details of language to a higher degree than other patterns
• specific learning mechanisms

Question 6

theories of language development (Chomsky)- nativist

Answer 6

• language acquisition device (LAD) biologically prepares infants to learn rules of language
• universal grammar

Question 7

theories of language development (interactionist)

Answer 7

• inner capacities and environment work together

- social context is important

Question 8

phonology

Answer 8

smallest unit (speech sounds)

Question 9

morphology

Answer 9

parts of words

Question 10

semantics

Answer 10

meaning of words

Question 11

syntax

Answer 11

structures semantic elements (words) into larger meaning (sentences)

Question 12

pragmatics

Answer 12

appropriate and effective communication

Question 13

support for biological language preparedness

Answer 13

animal language 
-language seems to be unique to humans
bran structures
-regions predisposed to language processing 
sensitive period 
-during brain lateralization

Question 14

limitations of nativist perspective

Answer 14

• no agreement on universal grammar rules
• theory lacks comprehensiveness
• ignores quality of language input
• ignores roles of social experiences

Question 15

interactionist perspective

Answer 15

information processing theories
-connectionist model
-statistical learning capacity 
-brain studies
social interactionist theories 
-native capacity combines with rich language environment

Question 16

getting ready to talk receptivity to language

Answer 16

new-borns sensitive to speech 
-especially mothers
categorical speech perception
-ability to distinguish phonemes
-distinguish phonemes of own language around 6-8 months
statistical analyses and rule learning

Question 17

infant-directed speech

Answer 17

• short sentences
• high pitch
• exaggerated expression
• clear pronunciation
• distinct pauses
• clear gestures
• repetition

Question 18

factors contributing to semantic development

Answer 18

-adult feedback
-cognitive processing
-working memory
-strategies
(lexical contrasts, mutual exclusivity bias)

Question 19

bilingualism sapir-whorf hypothesis

Answer 19

• language shapes cognition
• language determines thoughts
• influence what we think
• particularly relevant to bilinguals