Language Flashcards
language
arbitrary symbol system that is socially agreed upon and is rule governed
can be spoken, written or manual symbol system
human capacity for language
intrinsic
intrinsic language
acquired with universal regularity
occurs very early developmentally
despite most environments
specialization for language
speech organs
speech breathing
specialized brain areas
speech organs
dual purpose of organs for survival and for producing sound of our language
tongue teeth lips soft palate nasal passages larynx
speech breathing
different set of muscles, lung pressure, changes in exhalation timing
inhalation/exhalation same amount of time
specialized brain areas
areas dedicated to language not seen in other species
iconic symbol
look or sound like what they represent; transparent; crunch, sizzle, buzz or manual signs of drink, fish etc.
arbitrary symbols
most words
communication
attempts expression and comprehension of some content using conventional means appropriately
shared activity
has goals and functions
goals and functions of communication
instrumental
gain information
give information
regulatory
social-interpersonal
hypothesize/imagine/speculate
persuasion
linguistics
study of nature and use of language
descriptive
psycholinguistics
study of mental processes and representations involved in language comprehension and production
prescriptive
grammar
mental system that allows humans to form and interpret sounds, words and sentences of their language
grammar components
phonetics
phonology
morphology
syntax
semantics
phonetics
articulation and perception of phonemes
phonology
patterning and organization of phonemes
morphology
word formation
syntax
sentence formation
semantics
meaning of words and sentences
linguistic competence
knowledge of our language system
universality
linguistic performance
how we use this (particulars) knowledge in actual (observed behavior) speech/language production and comprehension
universality
shared by all languages
particulars
specific to given languages