Language and Thought

Question 1

Language

Answer 1

Consists of the use of symbols to represent, transmit, and store meaning / info
- Symbols include organized patterns of sound, visual representations, and movements
- Meaning includes concepts, quantities, plans, identity, feelings, ideas, facts, and customs
Composed of phonemes, morphemes, and grammar

Question 2

What are the uses of language

Answer 2

• Provides a means to relay info
• Allows ppl to connect to ppl far away
• Allows for planning / execution of schemes

Question 3

Phoneme

Answer 3

Smallest units of sound

eg. vowels and consonants

Question 4

Morpheme

Answer 4

Units of meaning

eg. words / meaning parts of words; pre-/suffixes

Question 5

Grammar

Answer 5

The rules for using words, including semantics, definitions, connotations, and syntax
ie. how the order of words make meaning

Question 6

Language Development in Children

Answer 6

(0-4mon) receptive language
(4mon) productive language
(10mon) babbling sounds more like household language
(12mon) one-word stage, esp. nouns
(18-24mon) two-word, telegraphic speech: addition of verbs, constructing phrases
(24mon+) full, complex sentences

Question 7

Nature vs Nurture in Language

Answer 7

We seem to have an genetic talent for acquiring language, but we also seem to have a “statistical” patter recognition talent

Question 8

Critical Period for Learning Language

Answer 8

Development of language centers of the brain peaks at 3-7yrs; after that the development decreases linearly

Question 9

How do deaf and blind children develop language skills?

Answer 9

Deaf / blind children se complex adapted language by using other senses that are heightened
eg. sign language

Question 10

Aphasia

Answer 10

Impairment in the ability to produce / understand language; caused by brain damage

Question 11

Broca’s Aphasia

Answer 11

Aphasia w/ difficulty in constructing sentences, speaking single words; does not affect the ability to sing

Question 12

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Answer 12

Aphasia w/ difficulty in comprehending speech, producing coherent speech

Question 13

Written Language Processing Pathway

Answer 13

1. Visual cortex receives written words as visual stimulation
2. Angular gyrus transforms visual codes into auditory ones
3. Wernicke’s area interpret’s auditory code
4. Broca’s area controls speech muscles via motor cortex
5. Motor cortex allows word to be pronounced

Question 14

Receptive Language

Answer 14

Associating sounds w/ facial movements
Recognizing when sounds are broken into words
Occurs in 0~4mon babies, dogs

Question 15

Productive Language

Answer 15

Multilingual babbling / gestures

Occurs in 4mon babies, bees (dances), chimps (sign language)

Question 16

Communication with Chimpanzees

Answer 16

Washoe the chimp learned to use 245 signs

• communicated w/ a deaf NYTimes reporter
• combined words to make convey meaning: “apple which is orange” for an orange

Chimp word production lacks syntax and productivity (ie. use language to request rather than describe)

Question 17

Linguistic Determinism

Answer 17

The idea that our specific language determines how we think

Question 18

Japanese vs English Language

Answer 18

Speaking in Jp provides many words for interpersonal emotions (eg. sympathy / empathy)
Speaking in En provides many self-focused emotions (eg. sadness / sorrow)

Question 19

Language’s Influence on Thought

Answer 19

Bilingual ppl appear to have different personalities when describing themselves in different languages
Different languages vary in their separation of blue and green
Gender-inclusive words (ie. mankind) influences what images come to mind when these words are heard

Question 20

Pormpuraaw vs English Language

Answer 20

English-speakers view time as a rightward bound arrow

Pormpuraaw view time as a westbound arrow

Question 21

Apple in German vs Spanish Language

Answer 21

Apple in Ge: masculine

Apple in Sp: feminine

Question 22

Bilingual Advantage

Answer 22

Bilinguals tend to have numerous brain connections / neural networks

• can suppress one language while learning another
• can resist distractions / inhibit impulses

Question 23

Is there conscious thinking that goes on without being formed as words?

Answer 23

Some everyday decisions, such as which turn to take while driving, are certainly made based on images or other nonverbal content such as mental maps

Question 24

Benefits of Imagery

Answer 24

Image rehearsal can help us improve behavior, even skilled performance such as playing piano or playing sports
Imagining a detailed sequence of actions often allows one to execute them