Speech & Language Flashcards
What is spoken language?
A system of sounds comprised of a bank of words (lexicon) and a grammatical system made of syntax and morphology.
What are the 5 components of language?
1.Phonology
2.morphology
3.syntax
4.Semantics
5.pragmatics
How many spoken vowels are there?
12 spoken vowels each requiring different mouth mechanics
How are consonants made?
Reduction of air flow by reducing the space in the mouth.
How are children linguistically gifted?
.Children pick up Language without being directly taught
.able to learn phonology, grammar, words and prosody.
What are the stages of child speech development?
1 year= first word
2-3 years= second word + syntax
3-4= morphology
What are the language learning theories
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Imitation
(Environment and behaviourism)
How is Operant conditioning linked to learning theory?
Language learning is reinforced by parents especially grammar. E.g “i holded the doggy” parent would correct “no I held the dog”.
How is imitation linked to learning theory?
Children reproduce words and sentences that they hear from others.
What are the criticisms of classical conditioning?
There can be many other interpretations regarding words that have been learned through association. If someone said “gavagai” in the presence of a rabbit, an inference will need to be made in order to try guess the meaning of the word. Yet children seem to usually get inferences right, pointing to an alternative theory of learning.
What are the Criticism of imitation?
Children make novel mistakes in their speech. These are mistakes often not learned through imitation.
What are the Criticism of operant conditioning?
Parents don’t always frequently, reliably or directly provide negative criticism about misuse or grammar or word choice.
What is the nativist theories?
Humans are genetically engineered to develop language through module organisation.
What is the language acquisition device (LAD) part of nativist theory.
Children have an Innate LAD module in the mind. The LAD has a set of Features common to all language (universal grammar). The LAD uses parameters settings to establish the rules set out for the language being learned which will then stay fixed in order to the learn the language.
What is the critical period?
A critical time frame in which a child must have exposure to language development. If not the ability to develop language can be impaired.
What is usage based theory?
Importance of social support and interaction in order for learning to occur. By finding patterns in language and imitating language being used and using combining linguistic constructions creativity. Simple, short, high toned sentences allow for easier extraction for children to learn and understand irregularities.
What are the 4 disorders that can modify language?
1.Autism
2.learning disabilities (Down syndrome)
3.Williams syndrome
4.development language disorder (DLD)
What is development language disorder (DLD)
Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a communication disorder that interferes with learning, understanding, and using language
What is autism?
.severe language impairment
.reversed pronouns
.Atypical description
.difficulty understanding the use and contact of language
What is Learning disabilities (Down syndrome)
.shorter less complex sentences
.restricted word meanings
.slow vocabulary growth
.articulation problems
.difficulties in retrieving the rules of language.
How does socio-economic status affect language?
Children from low SES had a 50% less production of words than high SES of 500 word gap (age0-3). Low SES family’s head 13 million words up to 4 years whilst high SEA hear 45 million words. Hear less rare words, less word definition provided and less reading.
Why is low SES an important factor when learning language.
Child aged 13 with parents with post A level education have the same reading skills as a 17 year old with parents without post A level education. Also the vocal size at 3 years old predicts reading and spelling skills in primary school.
What is multilingualism?
Huge diversity of situation. Language 1 and language 2 distance has a big impact (how similar languages are). Amount of exposure to each language, and code switching (switching languages mid sentence) and low SES has an impact as multilingualism + SES factors.
Pros of multilingualism?
Ability to speak to languages
Relative protection against dementia
Benefit frontal lobe function (problem solving) executive functions trained by changing languages.
