Language Flashcards
language
A form of communication, whether spoken, written, or signed, that is based on a system of symbols.
5 Attributes of langues
1) A form of communication
2) Spoken, written, or signed
3) Based on a system of symbols
4) Enables us to plan for the future
5) Enables us to pass information from one generation to the next
phonology
The sound system of a language—includes the sounds used and how they may be combined.
phoneme
Basic unit of sound in a language. It is the smallest unit of sound that affects meaning.
Example: The sound of the letter P in English
morphology
Units of meaning involved in word formation.
morpheme
A word or part of a word that can’t be broken into smaller meaningful parts.
Minimal unit of meaning
Ex: Help (single morpheme)
Helper (double) Help… an er (one who helps)
syntax
The ways words are combined to form acceptable phrases and sentences.
semantics
The meanings of words and sentences.
Refers to the meanings of words and sentences.
Ex: Girl & Woman are similar, but do not mean the same thing.
pragmatics (social language use)
The appropriate use of language in different contexts.
How does speech differ from humans to animals?
Human language
1) More than a set of prearranged signals
2) (Physical Difference) Comes from a cortical speech center, which does not respond instinctively, but organizes sound and meaning on a rational basis.
Origin of human language.
- When and how is impossible to say.
- Assumed that it’s evolution has been a long process.
- Ancestors likely speaking 1 mil yrs ago, but w a slower deliver, smaller vocabulary, and simpler grammer.
- The origin will perhaps remain ever obscure.
T or F?
Origin of individual languages has been vaguely studied over the past 50 years.
False:
- area of precise study over past 2 centuries
How many languages are spoken in the world?
- 5,000 or 7,000 languages (mostly in Africa)
How many language families have scholars grouped languages into?
probably less than 20
How are languages are linked to each other?
By shared words or sounds or grammatical constructions.
T or F?
The theory is that the members of each linguistic group have descended from many languages.
False:
The theory is that the members of each linguistic group have descended from one language or a common ancestor.
- some experts judge that this original language was still being spoken as little as one thousand years ago
infinite generativity
The ability to produce and comprehend an endless number of meaningful sentences using a finite set of words and rules.
Rules describe ______
the way language works.
3 major communication skills of pragmatics
1) Using language for different purposes
- informing, demanding, promising, requesting
2) Changing language
3) Following rules
A way of using language that is a social exchange of information: ________
gossip (2/3rds of communication)
What is another way of using language other than social exchange?
Transmission of technically complex information
Chomsky’s term that describes a biological endowment that enables the child to detect certain features and rules of language, including phonology, syntax, and semantics.
Language Acquisition Device (LAD)
Humans are biologically prewired to learn language at a certain time in a certain way.
Expressed Level (LAD)
Surface Structure
Deep Level (LAD)
Seed Language
An area of the brain’s left frontal lobe that is involved in producing words.
Broca’s area
An area of the brain’s left hemisphere that is involved in language comprehension.
Wernicke’s area
A loss or impairment of language processing resulting from damage to Broca’s area or Wernicke’s area.
aphasia
A fixed period of time in which certain experiences have a lasting effect on development
A time of readiness for learning
Critical Period Hypothesis
Is there and if so when is the Critical Period for Language?
We’re not sure, but we think there is. Likely 0-10 yrs
Language is a complex learned skill
Chain of responses required through reinforcement
Problem: doesn’t explain how people create novel sentences
Behavioral Language Theory
no longer considered viable
Research that mothers language ability was linked to her child’s vocabulary
Child directed speech (high pitch speech to keep babies attention)
Problem: Children’s ability to acquire language varies
Environmental Language Theory
Interactionist View
emphasized both biology and experience contributing to language development
language can only be learned in the context of interacting with other people
Bruner: Language Acquisition System (LASS)
Sociocultural context is extremely important
Parents & teachers play major role in children developing their LASS
