Communication Flashcards
nature
- language is not part of human nature
- biological
- genetic
- should be thought of the way we think ducks swimming- just something they do
nurture
- language is nurtured into young people by adults and peers
- cultural
- learned
problems with nature vs nurture
- growing idea that language is a gene-environment interaction
- an outcome which requires both certain genes and a certain environment to develop
domain general
- language is learnt
- general pattern learning and apply this to language that we experience in environment
domain specific
- language is leant
- specialized ability to learn the intricate details of language to a higher degree than other patterns
- specific learning mechanisms
theories of language development (Chomsky)- nativist
- language acquisition device (LAD) biologically prepares infants to learn rules of language
- universal grammar
theories of language development (interactionist)
- inner capacities and environment work together
- social context is important
phonology
smallest unit (speech sounds)
morphology
parts of words
semantics
meaning of words
syntax
structures semantic elements (words) into larger meaning (sentences)
pragmatics
appropriate and effective communication
support for biological language preparedness
animal language -language seems to be unique to humans bran structures -regions predisposed to language processing sensitive period -during brain lateralization
limitations of nativist perspective
- no agreement on universal grammar rules
- theory lacks comprehensiveness
- ignores quality of language input
- ignores roles of social experiences
interactionist perspective
information processing theories -connectionist model -statistical learning capacity -brain studies social interactionist theories -native capacity combines with rich language environment
getting ready to talk receptivity to language
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
infant-directed speech
- short sentences
- high pitch
- exaggerated expression
- clear pronunciation
- distinct pauses
- clear gestures
- repetition
factors contributing to semantic development
-adult feedback
-cognitive processing
-working memory
-strategies
(lexical contrasts, mutual exclusivity bias)
bilingualism sapir-whorf hypothesis
- language shapes cognition
- language determines thoughts
- influence what we think
- particularly relevant to bilinguals
