Langauge

Question 1

Deborah tannen

Answer 1

Proposed ‘genderlects’ as a mean of describing the different languages spoken by men and women

Question 2

Doreen kimura

Answer 2

Found a 7% difference between men and women on test of language abilities
• estrogen -> language tasks
• testosterone -> spatial tasks

Question 3

Sandra witelson

Answer 3

Found that women’s temporal lobes contain 11% more brain cells than men’s temporal lobes (language, hearing, memory)

Question 4

Cultural differences and verbal communication

Answer 4

Idioms
- ways of saying things that are unique to a language or culture
- difficult for learners of a second language to master
- arise from certain historical context that the language learner (and sometimes even native speaker) does not understand

Question 5

Cultural differences and nonverbal communication

Answer 5

• cultural influences almost every aspect of nonverbal communication
- In Greece people shake their heads for yes and nod for no

• the use of nonverbal communication is a global phenomenon so misinterpretation can result in miscommunication

• nonverbal communication is so essential to transmitting the proper message that is even being used in electronic communication (for example emojis)

Question 6

Definition of languages

Answer 6

A sophisticated communication system that includes vocabulary as well as a set of rules (example grammar) outlining is proper usage

Question 7

Stages in attaining language

Answer 7

1) 3 months – 1 year
– Babbling (imitating sounds)
2) end of the first year
– Short words beginning with constants
– Good comprehension, despite lack of expression
3) 1-3 years
– Telegraphic stances
– Increased vocabulary. (+/-50 words by age 2)
– Over generalizations
4) by 5 years
– Basic rules of language, but still lack vocabulary and the ability to apply all the grammatical rules

Question 8

Why is language important?

Answer 8

– It allows us to give meaning to our world
– It is the keystone of culture because it allows a culture to share ideas, believes, etc., that could not be shared without language
- Can indicate a society, values and properties

Question 9

Theories of language acquisition

Answer 9

Learning theory (nature/environment)
Innate acquisition theory (nature/heredity)

Question 10

Learning theory (nature/environment)

Answer 10

– Language is acquired through the conditioning process, experienced by children as they grow up
– Ivan Pavlov
– BF Skinner
– Evidence of feral children, who failed to develop language due to isolation supports this theory
– Learning of grammatical rules is left unexplained by this theory