CSDS Chapter 1 Part 1
Overview
Discussion on the differences between speech, language, and communication, including non-linguistic aspects.
Establish foundational concepts in language study.
Examination of the five components of language.
Exploration of dialects and their relation to parent languages.
Key Definitions
Speech
Definition: The production of sounds that are understood by others; involves articulation and clarity.
Language
Definition: A complex system of communication comprising comprehension and expressive capabilities; varies regionally.
Communication
Definition: The act of expressing needs and sharing information; includes verbal and non-verbal forms.
Does not necessarily require speech or language.
Theories of Language Acquisition
Nativist Theory: Suggests children naturally acquire language rules from their native environment without formal teaching.
Child Language Development
Stages
3 Months: Basic vocalizations, limited control over speech apparatus.
6 Months: Increased vocalization, beginning of sound play (raspberries).
10 Months: Babbling stage with canonical babbling (e.g., repeated sounds, 'mama').
Key Observations
Physical maturity influences language acquisition (the ability to control movement and vocalization relates to language skills).
Communication becomes more reciprocal and intentional as children age.
Communication Across Ages
One-Year-Old
Can imitate sounds and babble; beginning to articulate simple words.
Social interactions seen (e.g., taking turns in conversation).
Two-Year-Old
Increased comprehension and ability to hold conversations; shows independence in responses.
Three-Year-Old
Significant growth in articulation and syntax length; can express opinions and engage in complex conversations.
Properties of Language
Characteristics
Social Tool: Language serves as a social code for interaction.
Rule Governing: There are established rules for combining symbols and constructing meaning.
Generative: The ability to produce new meanings and sentences.
Reflexive: Language can be used to reflect on itself (meta-linguistics).
Arbitrary: Symbols (letters) have meaning by social agreement.
Phonemes vs. Syllables
A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound, while a syllable consists of one or more phonemes (e.g., "sun" and "shine" in "sunshine").
Dialects and Language Variants
Defined as regional variations of a parent language, dialects can differ in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar.
Bilingual: Fluent in multiple languages.
Bi-dialectal: Fluent in multiple dialects of a language.
Evolution of Language
Language changes over time influenced by cultural factors, mass media, and social interaction.
New words emerge (e.g., "cryptocurrency") and meanings of existing words change (e.g., "ghost" as a verb).
Modes of Communication
Speaking and Listening
Reading and Writing
Signing (includes sign languages such as ASL)
Non-verbal Communication
Includes gestures, facial expressions, and body language; can account for a significant portion of the information conveyed (up to 60%).
Conclusion
Speech is not a necessary component of language; ASL and written language provide alternatives.
Importance of understanding communication dynamics including sender, receiver, and feedback mechanisms.
Communicative competence: the effectiveness of communication depends on appropriateness and clarity of the message.