Chapter 7: Language (copy)

Exam 2 covers chapters 6-10

Language

the systematic, meaningful arrangement of symbols, which provides the basis for communication

phonology

basic sounds of language

morphemes

smallest language unit that has meaning

semantics

rules that govern meaning of words and sentences

comprehension

understanding of speech

production

use of language to communicate

productive language stages

babbling stage

one-word stage

two-word stage

telegraphic stage

babbling stage characteristics

communication through random utterances, facial expressions, gestures, and imitation

universal phenomenon (there are still cultural differences in the way babbling sounds)

vowels then consonants

beginning around 4 months, the stage of speech development in which an infant spontaneously utters various sounds at first unrelated to the household language

one-word stage characteristics

holophrases - one word utterances that depend on context

stage in speech development from about age 1-2, during which a child speaks mostly in single words and these are usually nouns

two-word stage characteristics

at about 18 months old, a child’s ability to learn words rapidly increases, beginning about age 2, children start speaking mostly in two-word statements, comprised of a noun and verb or a noun adjective

the simple, short statements kids can form in the two-word stage are known as telegraphic speech

telegraphic speech characteristics

early speech stage in which a child speaks like a telegram - “go car” - using mostly nouns and verbs

about 24+ months, rapid development into complete sentences

underextension

using words too restrictively

overextension

words are used too broadly, overgeneralizing their meaning

syntax

number of ways children combine words and phrases to form sentences

grammar

3-year-olds follow principles of grammar most of the time

pragmatic abilities

communicating effectively and appropriately with others

private speech

spoken language that is not intended for others, commonly used by children during the preschool years

social speech

speech directed toward another person and meant to be understood by that person

metalinguistic awareness

an understanding of one’s own use of language

learning theory approach

the theory that language acquisition follows basic laws of reinforcement and conditioning

nativist approach

the theory that a genetically determined, innate mechanism directs the development of language

universal grammar

a similar underlying structure shared by all the world’s languages

language-acquisition device (LAD)

a neural system of the brain hypothesized to permit understanding of language structure and provide strategies for learning the particular characteristics of a language

Broca’s area

area of the brain related to speaking words

Wernicke’s area

area of the brain related to hearing words

interactionist approach to language development

language development is produced through a combination of genetically determined predispositions and environmental circumstances that help teach language

linguistic-relativity hypothesis

the theory that language shapes and may determine the way people of a given culture and understand the world

infant-directed speech

a type of speech directed towards infants characterized by short simple sentences (used to be called motherese)