Terminology Flashcards
Morphology
the study of WORD structure
Morpheme
Smallest meaningful unit of language
[Morphology]
Base, Root or Free Morpheme
Words that have meaning & cannot be broken down into smaller parts (e.g. color, chair, hinge)
[Morphology]
Bound/Grammatical Morpheme
Parts of words that cannot convey meaning independently
Parts of words that must join with free morphemes to convey meaning. (e.g. plural ‘s’)
[Morphology]
Allomorph
Variations of morphemes
Do not alter original meaning of morpheme.
(e.g. boxes, leaves, & cats all have pluralized endings but retain the same meaning)
[Morphology]
Syntax
the study of SENTENCE structure
Passive Sentences
Subject receives the action of the verb
“The cat was petted by Mark”
[Syntax]
Active Sentences
Subject performs the action
“Mark pet the cat”
[Syntax]
Interrogative
Questions
[Syntax]
Declarative
Statement
[Syntax]
Imperative
Commands
[Syntax]
Exclamatory
Express strong feelings
[Syntax]
Compound Sentences
2+ independent clauses joined by a comma & conjunction.
“The policeman held up the sign, / AND the cars stopped”
[Syntax]
Complex Sentences
1 independent clause and 1+ dependent clauses.
“I will drive my car to Reno / IF I have enough gas”
[Syntax]
Semantics
The study of MEANING in language (via words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, etc.); Vocabulary
Important aspects of vocabulary
Antonyms Synonyms Multiple Meaning Words Humor (riddles, PUNS, jokes) Figurative Language (metaphors, idioms) Deictic words: words whose referents depend upon who is speaking (this, here, that, come)
Quick Incidental Learning
aka Fast Mapping
The ability of a child to learn a new word on the basis of limited exposures to it.
Overextension vs Underextension
Overextension: ALL round items are balls
Underextension: ONLY an Oreo is a cookie
Functions of Language
- Labeling/Naming
- Protesting (“don’t do that!”)
- Commenting/Describing
Functions of Utterances
- Providing Info
- Sequencing statements logically
- Topic Maintenance
- Turn-taking
- Communicative Repair
Language Context involves…
- Where
- to whom you’re speaking
- Who/What is present
Pragmatics
Study of rules that govern language in social contexts - language use
Cohesion
Ability to organize/order utterances
Direct vs. Indirect Speech acts
“Bring it to me” vs. “Wouldn’t it be nice if…”
Discourse
How utterances are related
The “flow” of language - monologue, dialogue, conversation
Narratives
Form of discourse where the speaker tells a story
Phonology
Meaningful sound units in language
Phonological Awareness
Meta-awareness & ability to manipulate words in sentences, syllables in words & sounds in syllables.
Phonological Memory
Ability to “hold on” to units of sound; to sequence & manipulate them
Rapid Automatic Naming (RAN)
Ability to quickly retrieve a stored label for a given symbol
** Double deficit in RAN & PA (phonological awareness) = major difficulties with reading **
