Language Flashcards
1
Q
Language (Overview) (2)
A
- When we communicate, we send and receive information to others.
- most psychologists consider human communication to demonstrate the qualities of true language.
2
Q
Regular (2)
A
- Language must be regular, meaning that it is governed by rules and grammar.
- A sentence can be reorganized and still retain its meaning because of the system of rules that detail how each word fits with the ones around it.
3
Q
Arbitrary (2)
A
- The specific sound that is assigned to a concept does not present the concept in any way.
- The only exceptions are onomatopoeias.
4
Q
Productive (1.1)
A
- There are limitless ways to combine words to describe objects, situations, and actions.
EX. Particularly evident when observing native language development in infants who are actively experimenting with novel words and sound combinations that they have never been taught before.
5
Q
Saphir-Whorf Hypothesis (2.1)
A
- Language influences our thoughts and the way we perceive and experience the world.
- People from different cultures think differently because of differences in their languages.
EX. In French and Spanish, we assign gender to words, but not in English
6
Q
Morphemes (1.1)
A
- In oral language, these are the smallest units of sounds that contain information.
EX. Table (1 morpheme), table cloth (2 morphemes), Table(s) (2 morphemes…1 because of table and 2 because of plural)
7
Q
Phonemes (1.1)
A
- The smallest unit of sound in speech.
EX. /d/ /o/ /g/, /ch/ /are/ /air/
8
Q
Syntax (2.1)
A
- AKA grammar
- The rules that govern how sentences are put together.
- Each language has its own distinct rules about the order in which sounds and words can be combined.
EX. The French language assigns gender to objects.
9
Q
Semantics (2.1)
A
- While syntax defines the set of rules that organize the words and sounds in language, semantics refers to the meaning of each individual word.
- A sentence can have perfect syntactic structure, yet have no semantic meaning.
EX. “The colourless green ideas sleep furiously beside the kwijibo” violates no English syntactic rules, but it contains no semantic meaning.
10
Q
Language development (2)
A
- Humans are born with the ability to communicate their very basic needs through crying and reflexive behaviors during infancy. However, when children develop language, they can move away from this form of basic communication.
- Reaching milestones at predictable ages to see if a child is developing at a normal pace.
11
Q
0-4 months (1)
A
- Turns head towards sound source; makes noise when spoken to
12
Q
6-12 months (1)
A
- Tries to imitate sounds and later begins to babble; understands “no”
13
Q
12-17 months (4)
A
- Answers simple questions non-verbally
- points to objects and people
- follows simple directions paired with gestures
- uses 1-3 words in combination
14
Q
18-23 months (4)
A
- Follows simple verbal directions
- Asks for familiar items by name
- Starts combining words (“more juice”)
- Imitates animal sounds
15
Q
2 years old (1)
A
- Uses approximately 50-250 words.