PSYCH 1X03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Lip Reading, Kanzi, Speech Segmentation
Document Summary
Language is the most complex form of communication. Most psychologists only consider human communication to be language. A sentence can be reorganized and still retain its meaning because a system of rules details how each word fits. What specific sound is assigned to represent a concept is completely arbitrary. There is nothing about the word cat that refers to a furry animal. There are almost limitless ways to combine words to describe objects, situations and actions. Language influences our thoughts and the way we perceive and experience the world. The native language only contains three counting words corresponding to one, two and many. According to the hypothesis the tribe should have trouble understanding fine numerical concepts (over two) because the language lacks words for these fine distinctions. Cultures that lack specific words to differentiate relatives. Despite this they clearly understand the differences between these individuals and are able to.