LANGUAGE

Phonemes

Smallest unit of sound (ch sound in chat)

Morphemes

Smallest unit that carries meaning (-ed means past tense)

Grammar

Rules in a language that enable us to communicate

Semantics

Set of rules by which we derive meaning (adding -ed makes something past tense)

Syntax

Rules for combining words into sentences (White House vs. casa Blanca)

Surface structures

Actual written/spoken message (I bought colorful clothes)

Deep structures

Intended meaning (what types, why? How do you feel?)

Babbling stage

1st stage of speech

One word stage

Duh

Two word stage

Duh duh (telegraphic speech)

Behavioral theory (SKINNER)

Learn language thru pos. reinforcement

Imitation

Kids repeat what they hear

Nativistic theory (NOAM CHOMSKY)

Language is innate/biological, we are predisposed to LEARN

Overregularization

Grammar mistake- children over use certain morphemes

Critical period

Period of time where something must be learned or else it cannot ever happen

Linguistic determinism (WHORF)

Language influences the way we think