intro to language development slides

language

a complex and dynamic system of conventional symbols that is used in various modes for thought and communication

code

language is a ______

→ word-referent relationships are arbitrary

dynamic

language is ________

→ can change, can add and take-away words

conventional

language is _______

→ there are “rules” that govern language

tool

language is a _____

→ allows for human communication, makes the human species unique

cognition

language = ______

• a tool that helps humans develop a picture of the world

• a tool that permits people to communicate their thoughts to others

• language emerged as a cultural and social evolution

cognitive process

language as a ________ ______

• the brain uses language to store information and to carry out cognitive processes

  • reasoning

  • hypothesizing

  • memorizing

  • planning

  • problem solving

speech

neuromuscular process by which humans turn language into a sound signal that is transmitted through the air to a receiver

hearing

sensory system allowing speech to enter/be processed by the brain

speech process

respiration

→ air from lungs through trachea

phonation

→ air vibrates vocal folds

resonation

→ air moves through oral and nasal cavities

articulation

→ air is manipulated by articulators (tongue, teeth, lips, & jaw)

how language relates to speech

• language is NOT dependent upon speech, but speech IS dependent upon language

• language gives speech its meaning

elements of hearing

• perception of sound

• needed for reception and comprehension of spoken language

• acoustics = study of sound

events for speech reception

1. creation of a sound source

2. vibration or air particles

3. reception by the ear

4. comprehension by the brain

speech perception

• how the brain processes speech and language

  • different from hearing

  • processing a clap of hands is different than processing the word “coffee”

• involves specialized processors in the brain that respond to human speech

communication

sharing information/thoughts from mind of speaker to listener

symbolic/referential communication

• the relationship between an object or event and the referent is arbitrary

• baby says “bottle'“ because they want a drink

• no limit on symbolic communication

preintentional communication

• people assume a relationship between a communicative behavior and its referent

  • baby cries to get a bottle

intentional/iconic communication

• clear relationship between the message and its referent

  • baby points to a bottle because they want a drink

oral communication

• the combination of speaking and listening

  • baby says, “bottle” and mom says, “you can have it at naptime.”

model of communication

feedback impact on communication

• makes communication active and dynamic

• needed to make communication effective

linguistic

• speaking or vocalizing

• “mm-hmm” or “I totally agree”

nonlinguistic/extralinguistic

• eye contact

• facial expression

• posture

• proximity

paralinguistic

• use of pitch

• loudness

communication breakdown

feedback prevents these, which occur when receivers do not provide appropriate feedback

conversational repair

sender/receiver adjusts exchange to mend breakdown

7 purposes of communication

1. instrumental - ask/request something

2. regulatory - direct others, give directions

3. interactional - social conversation

4. personal - express state of mind/feelings

5. heuristic - inquire/find out information about something

6. imaginative - tell stories/role-play

7. informative - organized description of event or object