Language and Thought

These flashcards cover the key concepts from the 'Language and Thought' module, including aspects of language, development stages, major theories, and brain areas involved in language processing.

What is human language primarily used for?

The communication of meaning through structured combinations of spoken, written, or signed words.

What specific forms can human communication take?

It can manifest as spoken words, written symbols, or signed gestures, enabling the transfer of ideas.

What is the smallest distinctive sound unit in a language?

A fundamental unit of sound that, if changed, can alter the meaning of a word, such as the 'b' in 'bat' versus the 'p' in 'pat'.

What is the smallest unit within a language that carries meaning?

A linguistic unit that conveys semantic content, which can be an entire word or a significant part of one.

Can this meaningful unit be a full word or just a component?

It can be a complete word (e.g., 'read') or a morpheme-like prefix ('re-') or suffix ('-ing'), adding meaning.

What is the system of rules that allows people to communicate and understand each other in a language?

A set of structural guidelines that ensure words and phrases are combined in a comprehensible manner.

What specific rules dictate how words are ordered to form grammatically correct sentences?

The structural conventions within a language that govern the arrangement of words into coherent and logical sentences.

What is the field of linguistics concerned with deriving meaning from sounds and symbols?

The study of the principles by which sense is extracted from linguistic units like morphemes, words, and sentences.

When does the 'babbling stage' in infant language development typically commence?

This initial phase of vocal production generally begins around 4 months of age.

What characterizes the sounds an infant produces during the babbling stage?

Infants spontaneously utter a wide range of basic sound units (phonemes) from various languages, which lack specific meaning at this point.

At what age does the 'one-word stage' usually occur in children?

This developmental phase typically spans from about 1 to 2 years of age.

How do children primarily communicate during the 'one-word stage'?

They predominantly use single words, often relying on context and gestures to convey complex meanings (e.g., 'ball' to mean 'give me the ball').

What is the early speech stage characterized by concise, two-word sentences?

A phase of early language acquisition (around age 2) where children communicate thoughts using brief, telegram-like phrases.

Which word classes are most frequently used in this early, abbreviated speech?

Children primarily employ nouns and verbs, often omitting auxiliary words, articles, and other less critical parts of speech (e.g., 'go car').

Who proposed the concept of a 'universal grammar'?

Noam Chomsky introduced the idea of an innate predisposition within the human mind for language learning.

What does this 'built-in predisposition' explain about child language acquisition?

It accounts for the remarkable speed, consistency, and ease with which preschoolers globally acquire the complex rules of their native language.

What are 'critical periods' in the context of language acquisition?

Specific developmental windows, mainly in early childhood, during which exposure to linguistic input is absolutely vital for complete language development.

Approximately when do these crucial developmental windows for language generally close?

These periods are typically understood to extend until around age 7; full fluency and native pronunciation become significantly harder to achieve afterward.

What is 'receptive language'?

The ability of an individual to comprehend and interpret information received through spoken, written, or signed communication.

What is human language primarily used for?

The communication of meaning through structured combinations of spoken, written, or signed words.

What does human language encompass?

Our spoken, written, or signed words, and the structured ways we combine them.

What is the purpose of combining words in structured ways in language?

To convey meaning.

What specific forms can human communication take?

It can manifest as spoken words, written symbols, or signed gestures, enabling the transfer of ideas.

What is the smallest distinctive sound unit in a language?

A fundamental unit of sound that, if changed, can alter the meaning of a word, such as the 'b' in 'bat' versus the 'p' in 'pat'.

What is the smallest unit within a language that carries meaning?

A linguistic unit that conveys semantic content, which can be an entire word or a significant part of one.

Can this meaningful unit be a full word or just a component?

It can be a complete word (e.g., 'read') or a morpheme-like prefix ('re-') or suffix ('-ing'), adding meaning.

What is the system of rules that allows people to communicate and understand each other in a language?

A set of structural guidelines that ensure words and phrases are combined in a comprehensible manner.

What specific rules dictate how words are ordered to form grammatically correct sentences?

The structural conventions within a language that govern the arrangement of words into coherent and logical sentences.

What is the field of linguistics concerned with deriving meaning from sounds and symbols?

The study of the principles by which sense is extracted from linguistic units like morphemes, words, and sentences.

When does the 'babbling stage' in infant language development typically commence?

This initial phase of vocal production generally begins around 4 months of age.

What does the onset of the 'babbling stage' mark for an infant?

An infant's initial vocal exploration.

What characterizes the sounds an infant produces during the babbling stage?

Infants spontaneously utter a wide range of basic sound units (phonemes) from various languages.

What characteristic do these babbling sounds lack?

Specific meaning and resemblance to their household language.

At what age does the 'one-word stage' usually occur in children?

This developmental phase typically spans from about 1 to 2 years of age.

How do children primarily communicate during the 'one-word stage'?

They predominantly use single words.

How do children convey complex meanings during the 'one-word stage'?

Often relying on context and gestures (e.g., 'ball' to mean 'give me the ball').

What is the early speech stage characterized by concise, two-word sentences?

A phase of early language acquisition (around age 2) where children communicate thoughts using brief, telegram-like phrases.

What is the analogy used to describe the brevity of sentences in 'telegraphic speech'?

Much like a telegram.

Which word classes are most frequently used in this early, abbreviated speech?

Children primarily employ nouns and verbs.

What types of words are typically omitted in 'telegraphic speech'?

Auxiliary words, articles, and other less critical parts of speech (e.g., 'go car').

Who proposed the concept of a 'universal grammar'?

Noam Chomsky.

What is 'universal grammar' described as?

An innate predisposition within the human mind for language learning.

What does this 'built-in predisposition' enable children to do?

Acquire and comprehend language naturally.

What does 'universal grammar' explain about child language acquisition?

The remarkable speed, consistency, and ease with which preschoolers globally acquire the complex rules of their native language.

What factor is often present during language acquisition, despite which 'universal grammar' still operates effectively?

Varied linguistic input.

What are 'critical periods' in the context of language acquisition?

Specific developmental windows, mainly in early childhood, during which exposure to linguistic input is absolutely vital for complete language development.

What is absolutely essential during these 'critical periods' for optimal and complete language development?

Exposure to linguistic input and interaction.

Approximately when do these crucial developmental windows for language generally close?

These periods are typically understood to extend until around age 7.

What becomes significantly harder to achieve after the age of 7 concerning language acquisition?

Full fluency and native pronunciation.

What is 'receptive language'?

The ability of an individual to comprehend and interpret information received through spoken, written, or signed communication.

What is the ultimate outcome of 'receptive language'?

Understanding what others communicate.

What is 'productive language'?

The capacity for an individual to generate and articulate thoughts, ideas, and messages using spoken words, writing, or signing to communicate with others.

What is the overall purpose of 'productive language'?

Actively communicating with others.

Which two primary brain areas are key to language processing?

Broca's area and Wernicke's area.

Where are Broca's area and Wernicke's area typically located?

In the left cerebral hemisphere.

What is the main function of Broca's area?

Primarily involved in language production, including speech articulation and the grammatical construction of sentences.

What can result from damage to Broca's area?

Expressive aphasia.

What is the main function of Wernicke's area?

Primarily involved in language comprehension, particularly the understanding of spoken and written language.

What can result from damage to Wernicke's area?

Receptive aphasia.

What is the hypothesis that states language determines or strongly influences thought?

Linguistic determinism, which posits that the language we speak directly shapes how we perceive and categorize the world.

According to 'linguistic determinism', what does language shape?

Our thought processes.

How is the relationship between thinking and language characterized?

As intricate and multifaceted; while often intertwined, there is ongoing debate about their precise interaction and causal direction.

Does language exclusively dictate all thought processes?

No, while it significantly influences how we think, some cognitive processes and experiences can occur independently of explicit language.

How can speaking multiple languages affect cognitive functions?

It has been shown to enhance a range of cognitive skills, offering several benefits beyond just linguistic proficiency.

List some cognitive benefits attributed to speaking multiple languages.

Improved capacity to understand different viewpoints, enhanced problem-solving abilities, greater mental flexibility, and a potential reduction in biased thinking.

What is 'mental practice' in skill development?

A cognitive technique involving the systematic visualization and internal rehearsal of performing a skill or task, without any physical movement.

What are the advantages of using this cognitive rehearsal technique?

Benefits include improved actual performance, better preparation for tasks, reduced anxiety, and strengthening of neural pathways associated with the skill.

What does 'mental practice' often complement?

Physical practice.

Do animals possess language capabilities comparable to humans?

Most psychologists conclude that while some animals exhibit advanced communication, only humans possess language with intricate, generative, hierarchical, and symbolic properties.

What kind of communication do some animals show?

Sophisticated communication systems or basic language processing.

Who was Washoe, and what was her significant contribution to studying animal communication?

A chimpanzee notable for being the first non-human primate successfully taught to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL).

What specific language abilities did Washoe demonstrate through sign language?

She showed creativity in signing, capability to combine signs into simple sentences, understanding of new signs, and even spontaneously taught signs to her offspring.