Language Lecture Flashcards
What is language?
A form of communication.
Name the structural elements of language.
Phoneme, Morpheme, Syntax, Lexicon, Semantics, Pragmatics.
What does the lexicon represent?
List of words or gestures with meaning.
Define semantics.
Literal meaning of words.
Explain pragmatics.
Social context influencing meaning.
What is audience design in language?
Adapting communication based on the audience.
What are the basic rules of turn-taking in conversation?
Turn-taking, staying on topic, and verbal pace adaptation.
Describe Genie’s case.
Extreme neglect affecting language development, deprived until age 13.
What is the role of basic language exposure in language development?
Necessary for infants and children.
According to B.F. Skinner, what is important for language development?
Reinforcement and encouragement.
What is generativity in language development?
Children generating new word patterns independently.
What did Chomsky propose in language development?
Language Acquisition Device (LAD), an innate biological mechanism.
Explain sensitive periods in language development.
Younger individuals learn more efficiently, older individuals face challenges.
What are individual differences in language development?
Varying proficiency among individuals.
Where is Broca’s Area located?
Inferior, posterior frontal lobe.
What deficits result from damage to Broca’s Area?
Difficulty articulating words and sentences, affecting comprehension.
Locate Wernicke’s Area.
Superior part of the temporal cortex.
What happens if Wernicke’s Area is damaged?
Ability to articulate words with meaningless content, comprehension deficits.
What is the role of central linguistic processing centers?
Play vital roles in language development, production, and comprehension.
What was the historical perspective on second language learning in the US?
Discouraged, fearing interference with cognitive development.
Name some benefits of bilingualism during childhood.
Enhanced cognitive flexibility, support for cognitive functioning, improved analytic skills.
What approach does Canada take towards bilingualism?
Promotes bilingualism across provinces.
What does Dr. Patricia Kuhl’s research focus on?
Phoneme detection in infants, emphasizing neuroplasticity.
Explain the critical period and age dependence in language acquisition.
Language development has sensitive periods, becoming more challenging with age.
