Speech and Language Devlopment Midterm

Origin of Language

Theories on how language began, suggesting humans evolved unique communication forms.

Bow-wow Theory

A theory suggesting language originated from imitating natural sounds.

Yo-he-ho Theory

A theory proposing language emerged from vocalizations related to communal work.

Larynx Evolution

Evolutionary changes in the larynx contributing to the development of human language.

Language Death

The phenomenon when languages become extinct, often linked with the decline of cultures.

Speech

The physical act of producing sounds to communicate; involves neuromuscular control.

Phonemes

The smallest unit of sound in speech that can change meaning.

Language

A socially shared code or system for representing concepts through symbols and rules.

Communication

The exchange of information, ideas, and emotions among individuals.

Communicative Competence

The ability to effectively use language features to communicate successfully.

Extralinguistic Features

Elements of communication beyond words, like body language and tone.

Paralinguistic Codes

Vocal cues that change the meaning or emotional tone of spoken language.

Metalinguistics

Understanding and analyzing language as an abstract entity separate from its context.

Syntax

The set of rules that govern the structure of sentences in a language.

Morphology

The study of the structure and formation of words in a language.

Morpheme

The smallest meaningful unit in language that cannot be subdivided without losing meaning.

Free Morphemes

Morphemes that can stand alone as words (e.g., 'cat').

Bound Morphemes

Morphemes that cannot stand alone and must attach to free morphemes (e.g., 'un-' in 'untie').

Phonology

The study of the sound system of a language and the rules that govern sound combinations.

Semantics

The study of meaning in language, including word meanings and relationships.

Pragmatics

The study of how context influences the use of language in communication.

Cognitive Development

The progression of mental processes including thinking, learning, and memory.

Behaviorism

A theory suggesting that language is learned through reinforcement and conditioning.

Nativist Approach

Noam Chomsky's theory that language acquisition is innate and a natural ability.

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

Chomsky's hypothetical brain mechanism that enables children to learn language.

Interactionist Approach

The theory that language development occurs through social interaction and is influenced by both biology and environment.

Scaffolding

Providing temporary support to help children learn new skills in the context of interactions.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The difference between what a learner can do without help and with guidance.

Social Constructivism

The theory emphasizing the importance of social interaction in developing knowledge, including language.

Anatomy of the Neuron

The basic building block of the nervous system, consisting of cell body, axon, and dendrites.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerve pathways that branch from the CNS to the rest of the body.

Broca’s Area

The brain region responsible for speech production and language coordination.

Wernicke’s Area

The brain region responsible for language comprehension.

Right Hemisphere Functions

Processes paralinguistic information, emotional tone, and holistic understanding of language.

Left Hemisphere Functions

Processes linguistic information, including comprehension, production, and written language.

Early Language Development

The stages and processes that occur from birth to toddlerhood in acquiring language.

Holophrases

Single words that stand for whole statements, often used by toddlers.

Fast Mapping

The ability to quickly learn new words with only a few exposures.

Overextensions

When children apply a word too broadly to other objects or categories.

Underextensions

When children apply a word too narrowly to a limited context.

Joint Reference

The shared focus of two individuals on an object or event, crucial for language development.

Infant-Directed Speech (IDS)

A type of speech characterized by exaggerated pitch and rhythm used by caregivers.

Cooing

The early vocalization stage in infants characterized by prolonged vowel sounds.

Babbling

The stage of language development where infants produce repeated consonant-vowel combinations.

Jargon

Strings of nonsensical sounds that have the prosody of adult speech, heard around 10 months.

Phonetically Consistent Forms (PCFs)

Consistent speech patterns that represent specific meanings for infants.

Intentionality in Communication

The development of purposeful communication, including gestures and verbal cues.

Lexicon

An individual's personal dictionary or mental store of words and meanings.

Pragmatic Functions

The varied purposes for which language is used, such as requesting, labeling, or commenting.

Vocabulary Spurt

A rapid increase in a child's vocabulary that typically occurs around 18-24 months.

Communicative Acts

The various actions an infant uses to convey messages, including gestures and verbalizations.

Cognitive Development's Role in Language

The process by which children develop understanding patterns, aiding in language acquisition.