9. Language in Context

Overview of Language and Thought

• Language and Thought: Understanding the interrelation between language and cognitive processes.

• Differences among Languages: Major differences exist across languages in terms of lexicon and syntax.

  • Example: Grammatical inflections determine how actions are communicated.

  • Variations in sentence structure (e.g., subject-verb-object order).

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

• Linguistic Relativity: Cognitive systems influenced by language shape how individuals think about the world.

• Linguistic Determinism: Language habits of a community guide certain interpretations.

Linguistic Relativity vs Linguistic Universals

• Color Naming: Different categories and names impact perception but also show universal patterns.

  • Color hierarchy: Black-white → Red → Yellow/green → Blue → Brown → Purple/Pink/Orange/Gray.

• Diverse effects of syntactical and semantic structures across languages on thought.

Bilingualism and Dialects

• Types of Bilingualism:

  • Additive Bilingualism: Learning a second language without losing the first.

    • Enhances cognitive abilities.

  • Subtractive Bilingualism: Replacement of the first language with elements of the second.

    • May decrease cognitive abilities if competence in both languages isn't maintained.

  • Simultaneous vs Sequential Bilingualism: Parents teaching two languages from birth (simultaneous) versus learning them one after another.

Factors Influencing Second Language Acquisition

• Age and individual cognitive abilities.

• Learning context and specific learning goals.

Bilingualism: One System or Two

• Single-system Hypothesis: Both languages represented in one cognitive system.

• Dual-systems Hypothesis: Each language represented in separate cognitive regions.

• Research shows structure may be divided, with language strengths differing.

Slips of the Tongue

• Unintended linguistic errors highlight differences between thought language and spoken language (Fodor, 1975).

Metaphorical Language

• A metaphor combines two nouns, asserting their similarities while acknowledging dissimilarities.

• Components of Metaphors:

  • Tenor: Main subject (e.g., House).

  • Vehicle: What the subject is compared to (e.g., Pigsty).

  • Ground: Similarities (both are messy).

  • Tension: Dissimilarities (not the same entity).

• Theories of Metaphor:

  • Comparison view, anomaly view, domain interaction views, and class-inclusion statements.

Language in Social Context

• Pragmatics: Study of language use in social contexts, including sociolinguistics.

• Common ground is established through similar language usage, gestures, and nonverbal cues.

• Importance of personal space in conversations varies by culture.

Speech Acts

• Direct Speech Acts: Five categories include representatives, directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations.

• Indirect Speech Acts: Implied meanings representing abilities, desires, future actions, and reasons.

• Characteristics of successful conversation based on the maxims of quantity, quality, relation, and manner.

Gender and Language

• Differences in communication preferences between genders:

  • Males: Focus on political views and personal pride.

  • Females: Emphasize feelings, relationships, and emotional topics.

Aphasia

• Types of Aphasia:

  • Wernicke’s Aphasia: Difficulty understanding words/sentences.

  • Broca’s Aphasia: Agrammatical speech production but preserved comprehension.

  • Global Aphasia: Severe comprehension and production issues.

  • Anomic Aphasia: Difficulty with word retrieval or naming, common in various conditions including autism.