Language Development Concepts

Five Defining Features of Language

1. As System of Symbols

2. A Socially Shared Code

3. Language is Conventional

4. Language is Dynamic

5. A tool for human communication

Language as a System of Symbols

Defining feature of Language

Represents concepts (meaning isn’t inherently obvious)

The symbols of language are Morphemes (smallest units that carry meaning in a language)

Language is a Socially shared code

Defining feature of Language

Shared among speakers of the same language & Dialects. Rule based and agreed upon definitions (AKA code)

Language is Conventional

Defining feature of Language

Speakers abide by accepted rules (Legal sentence structure, word order, number agreement, etc)

Language is Dynamic

Defining Feature of Language

Is active and changing, both within individuals and language communities

Ex: Open & Closed Classes

Language as a tool for communication & thought

Defining feature of Language

Almost exclusively a human capacity

Language can be used in communication (sharing info among 2 or more people) and in thought processes (Language is not only external but also an internal cognitive tool)

Speech Defintion

A neuromuscular process by which language is transformed into acoustic signals and transmitted through a medium

Communication/ Speech Chain

Preintentional Communication

Type of Communication

Meaning of a communicative behavior must be inferred by observer. Always nonsymbolic and/or pre-symbolic

Ex: Crying, looking, etc

Intentional Non symbolic communication

Type of Communication

Sender sends a message in a non-arbitrary contextualized manner. Behavior has meaning & sender is trying to interpret the clear meaning

Ex: Pointing, gestures, etc

Symbolic Communication

Type of Communication

Communicating something specific using an arbitrary, agreed upon code

All linguistic communication is symbolic

Ways to Communicate

Linguistically: With your words

Non-Linguistically: With no language involved

• Extra-Linguistic: Communication outside of language/relates to communication. Ex: gestures, postures, etc

• Para-linguistic: Use of pitch, tone, stress, etc. to convey emotion

Purposes of Communication (7 different ones)