language Flashcards
mental representations
images, ideas, concepts, principles. internal cognitive symbols that represent external reality.
language
set of symbols and rules for combining symbols in ways that can generate infinite number of possible messages and meanings.
4 characteristics of language
1 important to thought
- is unique
- is natural
- conveys meaning.
properties of language
- symbolic. sounds signs gestures, allow for forming and transfering mental representations
- structures = rules for language.
- languages shows generativity. symbols combined to generate infinite number of messages that can have novel meaning. = unlimited amount of words and sentences.
- supports displacement. allows communication about events/objects that are not physically present.
- converys meaning
define grammar
set of rules that dictate how symbols can be combined to create meaningful units of communications
define syntax
rules that govern the order of words
surface vs deep strucutre
surface structure = symbols used and their order
deep structure = underlying meaning of combined symbols -> semantics
define semantics
meaning of words and sentences
good communitors do 4 things
- transform surface structure to improve deep structure communications
- use short sentences
- unambiguous terms
- dont use too much info.
hierarchy of language
phoneme morpheme word phrase sentence discourse
define phoneme
differences in khoisan language
bilingual/japanese problems
when does phonemic distinction begin in development?
smallest unit of speech sound in language that can signal a difference in meaning.
khoisan: phoneme = clicks.
bilingual - english to japanese = hard to distinguish su and tsu. japanese to english hard to distinguish R &L
phonemic distinction = 6-12 months of age.
define morpheme
- what determines morpheme?
smallest units of meaning in language.
combination of phonemes. grammar determines how phonemes are combined.
define discourse
sentences combined into paragraph, articles, books
usually meaningfully
how do we know that words are separate?
speech segmentation
- experience
- context
define pragmatics
knowledge of practical aspects of using language
key areas of language in the brain
broca’s : word production and articulation. involved in motor-control system - left hemisphere, frontal lobe
wernicke’s area: speech comprehension. - rear temporal.
damage to language areas in brain
aphasia = impairment in speech comprehension and/or production.
broca’s aphasia = damage ability to speak.
wernicke’s aphasia = cant comprehend what they hear or what they say. no sense.
other association areas in language in brain
visual cortex = recognize written words.
auditory cortex = hearing and understanding closely related
motor cortex = need to move to speak
sex differences in language brain activity
male - mostly localized on left hemisphere; more aphasic symptoms
female - more spread activation - damage = more intact abilities
biological predisposition to acquiring language
Language Acquisition Device -LAD.
innate biological mechanisms that generates language.
evidence: 1. children master language without formal instruction. 2. pick up language early. vocalization of phonemes = 1-3 months.
social learning process to language acquisition (1)
language acquisition support system (LASS): social environment supports language learning
- high-pitched tone (child directed speech) to talk to infants
- name objects and ask questions
social language learning process (2)
operant conditioning: positive reinforcement of appropriate language
nonreinforcements/correction of inappropriate language.
evidence against = children leanr works quickly. parents dont correct grammar, instead focus on deep structure errors.
reality to acquiring language
both experiences/social and biology.
LASS and LAD interactions.
language sensitive periods
best to learn earlier in childhood.
worse after puberty.
– other variables play into worse learning with age.. but generalized to worse language learning later in life.
