PSYC 251 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Language Acquisition Device, Eric Lenneberg, American Sign Language

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 251
• Professor: Valerie Ann Kuhlmeier

Document Summary

Language the systematic and conventional use of sounds, signs or written symbols for the intention of communication or self-expression. In order to successfully acquire language, it is important to develop expertise in the following areas of language: The form phonology and structure of words and sentences. The meaning accomplished through semantics and grammar. Thus, it is clear that language consists of many components: Phonology the actual sounds made by the speaker. Semantics the underlying, abstract meaning of language. Grammar the linguistic rules of a language. Pragmatics the use of language in a social context; or ability to use language to get things done in the world. There are two extremist positions that try to explain how children acquire language: the empiricist position this position states that language is acquired through the mechanisms of learning, just like how everything else is acquired.