Speech & Language

Question 1

What is spoken language?

Answer 1

A system of sounds comprised of a bank of words (lexicon) and a grammatical system made of syntax and morphology.

Question 2

What are the 5 components of language?

Answer 2

1.Phonology
2.morphology
3.syntax
4.Semantics
5.pragmatics

Question 3

How many spoken vowels are there?

Answer 3

12 spoken vowels each requiring different mouth mechanics

Question 4

How are consonants made?

Answer 4

Reduction of air flow by reducing the space in the mouth.

Question 5

How are children linguistically gifted?

Answer 5

.Children pick up Language without being directly taught
.able to learn phonology, grammar, words and prosody.

Question 6

What are the stages of child speech development?

Answer 6

1 year= first word
2-3 years= second word + syntax
3-4= morphology

Question 7

What are the language learning theories

Answer 7

Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Imitation

(Environment and behaviourism)

Question 8

How is Operant conditioning linked to learning theory?

Answer 8

Language learning is reinforced by parents especially grammar. E.g “i holded the doggy” parent would correct “no I held the dog”.

Question 9

How is imitation linked to learning theory?

Answer 9

Children reproduce words and sentences that they hear from others.

Question 10

What are the criticisms of classical conditioning?

Answer 10

There can be many other interpretations regarding words that have been learned through association. If someone said “gavagai” in the presence of a rabbit, an inference will need to be made in order to try guess the meaning of the word. Yet children seem to usually get inferences right, pointing to an alternative theory of learning.

Question 11

What are the Criticism of imitation?

Answer 11

Children make novel mistakes in their speech. These are mistakes often not learned through imitation.

Question 12

What are the Criticism of operant conditioning?

Answer 12

Parents don’t always frequently, reliably or directly provide negative criticism about misuse or grammar or word choice.

Question 13

What is the nativist theories?

Answer 13

Humans are genetically engineered to develop language through module organisation.

Question 14

What is the language acquisition device (LAD) part of nativist theory.

Answer 14

Children have an Innate LAD module in the mind. The LAD has a set of Features common to all language (universal grammar). The LAD uses parameters settings to establish the rules set out for the language being learned which will then stay fixed in order to the learn the language.

Question 15

What is the critical period?

Answer 15

A critical time frame in which a child must have exposure to language development. If not the ability to develop language can be impaired.

Question 16

What is usage based theory?

Answer 16

Importance of social support and interaction in order for learning to occur. By finding patterns in language and imitating language being used and using combining linguistic constructions creativity. Simple, short, high toned sentences allow for easier extraction for children to learn and understand irregularities.

Question 17

What are the 4 disorders that can modify language?

Answer 17

1.Autism
2.learning disabilities (Down syndrome)
3.Williams syndrome
4.development language disorder (DLD)

Question 18

What is development language disorder (DLD)

Answer 18

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a communication disorder that interferes with learning, understanding, and using language

Question 19

What is autism?

Answer 19

.severe language impairment
.reversed pronouns
.Atypical description
.difficulty understanding the use and contact of language

Question 20

What is Learning disabilities (Down syndrome)

Answer 20

.shorter less complex sentences
.restricted word meanings
.slow vocabulary growth
.articulation problems
.difficulties in retrieving the rules of language.

Question 21

How does socio-economic status affect language?

Answer 21

Children from low SES had a 50% less production of words than high SES of 500 word gap (age0-3). Low SES family’s head 13 million words up to 4 years whilst high SEA hear 45 million words. Hear less rare words, less word definition provided and less reading.

Question 22

Why is low SES an important factor when learning language.

Answer 22

Child aged 13 with parents with post A level education have the same reading skills as a 17 year old with parents without post A level education. Also the vocal size at 3 years old predicts reading and spelling skills in primary school.

Question 23

What is multilingualism?

Answer 23

Huge diversity of situation. Language 1 and language 2 distance has a big impact (how similar languages are). Amount of exposure to each language, and code switching (switching languages mid sentence) and low SES has an impact as multilingualism + SES factors.

Question 24

Pros of multilingualism?

Answer 24

Ability to speak to languages
Relative protection against dementia
Benefit frontal lobe function (problem solving) executive functions trained by changing languages.