Language Flashcards

1
Q

Define Language

A

a combinatorial system of communciation that uses a finite set of spoken/signed parts that are combined according to finite rules in hierarchial fashion to generate infinite possibilites

Language parts are arbitrary and uniquely human

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2
Q

2 Approaches to Understand Languages

A
  1. Descriptivism-describes language is actually being used ( linguist)
  2. Prescriptivism -prescribes rules and practices for how language should be used ( grammar)
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3
Q

Define phonetics

A

sounds of language and how we use them

phoneme=sounds

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4
Q

How are phoneme classified?

A

Phoneme are classified base don how sounds are produced by three categories, heavily based on changing diff aspects of vocal anatomy

  1. Voicing-are vocal folds vibrating?
  2. Place-location of constriction within vocal tract
  3. Manner-how airflow is manipulated
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5
Q

Phoneme Classification System Descriptions ( VPM)

A
  1. Voicing-voiced ( vibration of vocal cords) or voiceless (no vibration of vocal cords)
  2. Place -place of constriction: bilabial, alveolar; labdiodental
  3. Manner-airflow: fricative ( air pass through narrow constriction) ; plosive ( lung airflow interruption by closing mouth completely,)
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6
Q

Define Phonology

A

set of sounds used in a language

at birth baby can distinguish b/w all phonemes and by 6 months can only distinguish those of native language

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7
Q

Define Morphology

A

Structure of words

root, prefix, suffix =are examples of morphemes

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8
Q

Define morpheme

A

smallest indivisible unit of language that carries meaning

examples of morphemes; root, prefix, suffix

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9
Q

Syntax

A

rules for combing words into phrases and sentences ( grammar)

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10
Q

Semantics

A

meaning of language

challenge to learner-one word can carry multiple meanings

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11
Q

How does EEG measures brain activity?

A

Electroencephalography measures brain activity indirectly by measuring electrical activity

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12
Q

which level of language is the brain attuned to ?

A

Semantics; brain senses an error in semantics and fires differently

Example:
I like my coffee with cream and sugar

I like my coffee with cream and socks

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13
Q

Define pragmatics

A

meaning in context

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14
Q

List levels of language

A
  1. Phonology ( sound)
  2. Morphology ( structure)
  3. Syntax ( grammar)
  4. Semantics ( meaning)
  5. Pragmatics ( context)
  6. other levels beyond pragmatics
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15
Q

How is language stored in brain?

A
  1. lexicon-parts of language and their meaning ( words)

2. syntax/grammar ( rules)

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16
Q

How is language processed in brain?

A

Language is left-laterlized
Broca’s area ( speech production) and Wernicke’s ( speech comprehend) area communicate via white matter tract called arcuate fasciculus

17
Q

Where is articulation and meaning process in brain?

A

language is generally processed in temporal lobe region

dorsal stream processes articulation

ventral stream processes meaning

18
Q

Where is is phonology processed in brain?

A

processed in R and L superior temporal lobe

19
Q

General pattern of levels of language processing in brain

A

With increasing complexity of level of language you move anteriorly in temporal area
Phonemes=most posterior
Words=medial area
Phrases=most anterior

20
Q

Where is syntax processed

A

Broca’s area

21
Q

Distributed networks and Semantics

A

Semantic information is processed by taking pieces of language info stored in their respective area of brain cortex and then bringing it together as one unified concept in ANTERIOR TEMPORAL LOBE-this is referred to as the distributed network

22
Q

Signed and Verbal Language Processing

A

Signed and Verbal language is processed in brain the same way!

23
Q

How do we know language is lateralized to left hemisphere?

A

Brain studies of left hemisphere damage

24
Q

Describe Laterlization of Language

A

Most individuals process language on left hemisphere

R hemisphere processes lower scale things ( humor, pragmatics, deceit, prosody/emotional content)

25
Q

Aphasia is__________

A

acquired difficulty with language due to left hemisphere damage

usu due to decreased blood supply from middle cerebral artery

common in stroke patients

26
Q

Which gyrus found in Broca’s area is involved in speech production?

A

Inferior frontal gyrus

27
Q

Describe Symptoms of Broca’s Aphasia

A
  1. speech production deficits

2. non-fluent, agrammatical speech

28
Q

Describe symptoms of Wernicke’s Aphsia

A
  1. speech comprehension deficits
  2. speech production fluent BUT non-sensical

Can’t connect concepts to associated words