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

1. Speaking and Listening

2. Reading and Writing

3. 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.