ANTH 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 35: Universal Grammar, Enculturation, Nonverbal Communication
Document Summary
Nature/culture: language has a biological basis. Need vocal chords: learned through cultural transmission. All humans has a similar capacity for language. Language structures cultural patterns and learning (enculturation-eg linguistics and cultural logics) Enculturation: how we learn how to be members if society. Inuits have 50 different words for snow" because snow is important to their environment. Calling older cousins as aunt/uncle" out of respect of cultural role in society. Some cultural universals in grammar; great diversity in language structure and vocabulary. How we put things in categories in language. If a child isn"t exposed to language soon enough a child loses the ability to speak or rather speak in a complex manner. Humans learn to understand language before they can express it. Language is important to feeling a part of the culture. Critical period"- if a child is not exposed to language early enough, she often loses the capacity to speak.
