PSYC 1001 Lecture Notes - Noam Chomsky, Aphasia, Critical Period
28 Jun 2018
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Module 51 Language
Language: a set of symbols used to communicate “the jewel in the crown of cognition”
Two processes of language.
Language Production: generate and express ideas (thoughts) through words or gestures.
Speech involves expression of language through generated sounds
Language comprehension: the process of understanding spoken, written or signed language
Language expression: the structured and conventional expression of thoughts through words
Functions of language:
- convey thoughts of one person to others (theory of mind)
- supports creative and progressive social interaction
- sharing of innovations (ideas throughout a culture and preserves them across generations
- facilitates thinking, problem solving and decisions making.
Speech: the expression of language through words, speech involves expression of language
through generated sound
-Human language is generated or creative. We make up new sentences (on the fly) to convey
Study of speech is divided into 4 main areas
Phonology: the study of how individuals sounds or phonemes are used to produce language.
Phonemes Smallest distinction sound unit (psychology: s-ie-k-o-o-g-ee), the smallest unit of
sound in a language; an individual sound such a ba, da, or ta
Semantics: the study of how meanings in language is constructed of individuals words and
sentences.
Morpheme: the smallest unit of language that conveys meaning. (cat)
Syntax: the system for using words (semantics) and word order to convey meaning (grammar).
The system of grammatical rules used to combine words in particular orders
Pragmatics: the practical aspects of speech, including speech, pace, gesturing and body
language
Lexical meaning: dictionary meaning of a word
Non-verbal communication: body language
Language development:
Prevocalic learning - 2–4 months old
Babies distinguish all phonemes they will later use for language; cooing (vocalization of vowel-
like sounds)
Babbling – begins ~6 months’ old
Meaningless experimental sounds preceding actual words with consonants and vowels e.g.,
bababa gagaga dadada
Not imitation! Non-native phonemes are produced initially (produce phonemes which they have
never heard before), then unused phonemes are pruned
(by 10 months can identify household language)
One Word Stage - begins ~ 1-year-old
Utter single words (mostly nouns… e.g., doggie)
Sequence of language learning (continued):
Telegraphic speech - by 2 years of age
Simple (two-word) sentences omitting all but essential words e.g., Want mommy, Send money.
Note: Syntax consistent: e.g., adjective before noun – big doggie, not doggie big.
Pragmatics - by 3 years of age
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Document Summary
Language: a set of symbols used to communicate the jewel in the crown of cognition . Language production: generate and express ideas (thoughts) through words or gestures. Speech involves expression of language through generated sounds. Language comprehension: the process of understanding spoken, written or signed language. Language expression: the structured and conventional expression of thoughts through words. Convey thoughts of one person to others (theory of mind) Sharing of innovations (ideas throughout a culture and preserves them across generations. Facilitates thinking, problem solving and decisions making. Speech: the expression of language through words, speech involves expression of language through generated sound. We make up new sentences (on the fly) to convey. Study of speech is divided into 4 main areas. Phonology: the study of how individuals sounds or phonemes are used to produce language. Smallest distinction sound unit (psychology: s-ie-k-o-o-g-ee), the smallest unit of. Phonemes sound in a language; an individual sound such a ba, da, or ta.
