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: language influences what you notice or pay attention to

• Linguistic Determinism: language controls or limits what you can think

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.