Language Flashcards

1
Q

language

A

A form of communication, whether spoken, written, or signed, that is based on a system of symbols.

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2
Q

5 Attributes of langues

A

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

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3
Q

phonology

A

The sound system of a language—includes the sounds used and how they may be combined.

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4
Q

phoneme

A

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

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5
Q

morphology

A

Units of meaning involved in word formation.

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6
Q

morpheme

A

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)

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7
Q

syntax

A

The ways words are combined to form acceptable phrases and sentences.

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8
Q

semantics

A

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.

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9
Q

pragmatics (social language use)

A

The appropriate use of language in different contexts.

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10
Q

How does speech differ from humans to animals?

A

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.

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11
Q

Origin of human language.

A
  • 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.
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12
Q

T or F?

Origin of individual languages has been vaguely studied over the past 50 years.

A

False:

- area of precise study over past 2 centuries

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13
Q

How many languages are spoken in the world?

A
  • 5,000 or 7,000 languages (mostly in Africa)
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14
Q

How many language families have scholars grouped languages into?

A

probably less than 20

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15
Q

How are languages are linked to each other?

A

By shared words or sounds or grammatical constructions.

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16
Q

T or F?

The theory is that the members of each linguistic group have descended from many languages.

A

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
17
Q

infinite generativity

A

The ability to produce and comprehend an endless number of meaningful sentences using a finite set of words and rules.

18
Q

Rules describe ______

A

the way language works.

19
Q

3 major communication skills of pragmatics

A

1) Using language for different purposes
- informing, demanding, promising, requesting
2) Changing language
3) Following rules

20
Q

A way of using language that is a social exchange of information: ________

A

gossip (2/3rds of communication)

21
Q

What is another way of using language other than social exchange?

A

Transmission of technically complex information

22
Q

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.

A

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

Humans are biologically prewired to learn language at a certain time in a certain way.

23
Q

Expressed Level (LAD)

A

Surface Structure

24
Q

Deep Level (LAD)

A

Seed Language

25
Q

An area of the brain’s left frontal lobe that is involved in producing words.

A

Broca’s area

26
Q

An area of the brain’s left hemisphere that is involved in language comprehension.

A

Wernicke’s area

27
Q

A loss or impairment of language processing resulting from damage to Broca’s area or Wernicke’s area.

A

aphasia

28
Q

A fixed period of time in which certain experiences have a lasting effect on development

A time of readiness for learning

A

Critical Period Hypothesis

29
Q

Is there and if so when is the Critical Period for Language?

A

We’re not sure, but we think there is. Likely 0-10 yrs

30
Q

Language is a complex learned skill
Chain of responses required through reinforcement

Problem: doesn’t explain how people create novel sentences

A

Behavioral Language Theory

no longer considered viable

31
Q

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

A

Environmental Language Theory

32
Q

Interactionist View

A

emphasized both biology and experience contributing to language development

language can only be learned in the context of interacting with other people

33
Q

Bruner: Language Acquisition System (LASS)

A

Sociocultural context is extremely important

Parents & teachers play major role in children developing their LASS