Language Flashcards
Define Language
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
2 Approaches to Understand Languages
- Descriptivism-describes language is actually being used ( linguist)
- Prescriptivism -prescribes rules and practices for how language should be used ( grammar)
Define phonetics
sounds of language and how we use them
phoneme=sounds
How are phoneme classified?
Phoneme are classified base don how sounds are produced by three categories, heavily based on changing diff aspects of vocal anatomy
- Voicing-are vocal folds vibrating?
- Place-location of constriction within vocal tract
- Manner-how airflow is manipulated
Phoneme Classification System Descriptions ( VPM)
- Voicing-voiced ( vibration of vocal cords) or voiceless (no vibration of vocal cords)
- Place -place of constriction: bilabial, alveolar; labdiodental
- Manner-airflow: fricative ( air pass through narrow constriction) ; plosive ( lung airflow interruption by closing mouth completely,)
Define Phonology
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
Define Morphology
Structure of words
root, prefix, suffix =are examples of morphemes
Define morpheme
smallest indivisible unit of language that carries meaning
examples of morphemes; root, prefix, suffix
Syntax
rules for combing words into phrases and sentences ( grammar)
Semantics
meaning of language
challenge to learner-one word can carry multiple meanings
How does EEG measures brain activity?
Electroencephalography measures brain activity indirectly by measuring electrical activity
which level of language is the brain attuned to ?
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
Define pragmatics
meaning in context
List levels of language
- Phonology ( sound)
- Morphology ( structure)
- Syntax ( grammar)
- Semantics ( meaning)
- Pragmatics ( context)
- other levels beyond pragmatics
How is language stored in brain?
- lexicon-parts of language and their meaning ( words)
2. syntax/grammar ( rules)
How is language processed in brain?
Language is left-laterlized
Broca’s area ( speech production) and Wernicke’s ( speech comprehend) area communicate via white matter tract called arcuate fasciculus
Where is articulation and meaning process in brain?
language is generally processed in temporal lobe region
dorsal stream processes articulation
ventral stream processes meaning
Where is is phonology processed in brain?
processed in R and L superior temporal lobe
General pattern of levels of language processing in brain
With increasing complexity of level of language you move anteriorly in temporal area
Phonemes=most posterior
Words=medial area
Phrases=most anterior
Where is syntax processed
Broca’s area
Distributed networks and Semantics
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
Signed and Verbal Language Processing
Signed and Verbal language is processed in brain the same way!
How do we know language is lateralized to left hemisphere?
Brain studies of left hemisphere damage
Describe Laterlization of Language
Most individuals process language on left hemisphere
R hemisphere processes lower scale things ( humor, pragmatics, deceit, prosody/emotional content)
