Language, Reference and Meaning Flashcards
what sets humans apart from other species?
our capacity of symbolic thought
what are the 3 modes of reference?
icon, index and symbol
who is anne sullivan
teacher of helen keller
what did seyfarth and cheney research?
the 3 different calls of a vervet monkey
what is the definition of language for us?
mode of communication based on symbolic reference, combinatorial rules
system representing logical relationships among these symbols
what are the 2 core components of a language?
word meaning (symbolic reference) and syntax (rules for combining words into sentences)
what is a spoken word an association between?
co occurring sequence of sounds and an object or idea
what are some non-symbolic forms of communication?
laughter, facial expressions, gestures, alarm calls
what did pierce propose? what was his field of study?
3 modes of references. semiotics
what is reference?? eg reference in the mind
the means by which one thing ( a sign) brings to mind another thing (the signified)
what are the 3 modes of reference defined by?
the nature and the relationship between the sign and the and that which is signified
what is iconic reference based on?
a physical similarity (resemblance) between the sign and what it signifies
3 examples of iconic reference
a painting of a scene
pantomimes - acting out the meaning of something, actions reflect in some way the thing you are wanting to bring to mind
onomatopoeia - where words sounds like the thing it refers to
can languages rely completely on iconic reference? why/why not?
no, otherwise we could only discuss things that sound/look like the thing they are representing
T or F ? iconic reference is not symbolic reference
true
what does iconic reference form the basis for?
basic perceptual recognition processes
iconic reference works through recognising what?
similarity and perceptual form
what is indexical reference based on?
a physical or temporal contiguity (correlation, co occurrence) between a sign and what it signifies
what do indexical reference do?
they indicate
examples of indexical reference?
- pheromones indicated sexual receptiveness
- smoke indicates fire
- alarm calls indicate presence of predator
what words can be used indexically? and why do they work?
when they point directly to their meaning eg, here, there, I, me, you, this
during language learning, indexical referencing is vital for even verbs and nouns. why?
to allow the learner to pair the presence of the thing with the word they use to refer to it
what is the whole point of symbolic reference?
it goes beyond the here and now, so that the words can relate to each out in the absence of iconic and indexical reference
what is symbolic reference based upon?
some formal or agreed upon link (social convention)