Language

Language

spoken, written, or signed words and the way we combine them to communicate meaning

Phonemes

The smallest distinctive sound unit, where each unit is the part of a word that is pronounced differently

Morphemes

smallest unit that carries meaning

Grammar

languages set rules that enable people to communicate with and understand others

Semantics

languages set rules for deriving meaning; how words, phrases, and sentences are understood

Syntax

set rules for combining words into grammatically sensible sentences

Phonological Development

children have to learn the sounds of their native language

Semantic Development

learning what object a word refers to

Babbling Stage

4 months: infant spontaneously utters meaningless speech-like sounds - not related to household language

One Word Stage

1-2yrs: a child speaks in single words, language comprehension precedes language production — use holophrases: word and gestures to convey more meaning

Two Word Stage

2yrs: a child speaks in 2-word sentences —> telegraphic speech: child speaks like a telegram using mostly nouns and verbs

Critical Period

If not exposed to either a signed or spoken language by 7, children lose their ability to fully comprehend and use any language

Aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage to either the Broca or Wernicke areas

Broca’s Area

left frontal lobe; helps control language expression by directing muscle movements involved in speech —> motor control + language production

Wernickes Area

left temporal lobe; involved in language comprehension and expression—> processses sound + comprehension

Linguistic Determinism

Whorf’s theory that language determines the way we think (those who don’t speak in past tenses cannot think about the past)

Linguistic Relativism

language influences the way we think