Speech Science Flashcards
(32 cards)
Speech Science
Study of:
Articulation and physiology of speech production
The acoustical characteristics of speech
The processes by which listeners perceive speech
Important Because it Allows us to:
Understand normal speech production and perception
Develop instruments for studying speech and hearing
Disseminate results of research to benefit colleagues and students
Speech
Primary mode of communication
It is efficient
It is redundant
Genetically endowed
Human Vocal Tract
Extends from back of mouth down through trachea to lungs
Vocal folds/cords
Near top of human vocal tract (lower in non-humans)
Primary purpose is to protect lungs
Extend from Adam’s apple to back of larynx to act as barrier to foreign objects entering lungs
Reflexive cough activated when anything other than air comes in contact with vocal folds
Secondary purpose of vocal folds
To produce speech
Air supply in lungs moves upward to vocal folds
Upper movement of air results in vibration of vocal folds
Vibration results in sound (voice)
Air sent to oral cavity (mouth)
Epiglottis
flap that covers trachea during swallowing
Larynx
(voice box)
top part of windpipe with folds of membrane that vibrate during speech (vocal folds)
Trachea
windpipe to lungs
in front of esophagus that goes to stomach
Lungs
not technically part of tract but necessary for air supply for speech
Primary purpose of human vocal tract
To protect lungs
epiglottis
vocal folds
trachea
All close to prevent foreign objects from entering the lungs
Cough Reflex activates when these fail
Language
A rule governed communication system composed of meaningful elements that can be combined in many ways to produce sentences, some of which are novel.
The ability to express thoughts in spoken or written language and the ability to comprehend the thoughts expressed by other people either in speech or in writing.
It is unique to humans
It is essentially similar in all humans
Foreign Language
Sounds complex
Difficult
Talk faster
We don’t recognize the sounds, the words or the rules governing the language
Language Definition
The comprehension and/or use of spoken, written and/or other symbol systems.
Language involves:
Form (phonology, morphology, syntax)
Content (semantics)
Function (pragmatics)
Form of Language
Phonology
Morphology
Syntax
Phonology
the sound system of a language and the rules that govern the sound combinations
Syntax
the system governing the order and combination of words to form sentences, and the relationships among the elements within a sentence.
Morphology
the system that governs the structure of words and the construction of word forms
Content of Language
Semantics
Semantics
the system that governs the meanings of words and sentences
Function of Language
Pragmatics
Pragmatics
the system that combines the above language components in functional and socially appropriate communication.
Language Characteristics
Not synonymous with “speech”
Requires the use of speech or gestures or visual icons
Cannot be taught to other species
(see information on birds and chimpanzees)
Has universal features that occur in all languages, i.e. grammar: Nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc
Develops in similar sequence in all similar languages: Individual differences in development occur but sequence remains same for typical development
Thought
An internal representation of experiences
Can be in the form of images (visual), action (kinesthetic), or language (auditory)
Can be independent of language: ex Aphasia
Deaf children
Piaget concluded that cognition develops on its own: Language interacts with cognition, but does not determine the thinking
Behavioral/Learning Theory of Language Acquisition
Focuses on the observable and measurable aspects of language behavior
Emphasize performance over competence (function of language)
Language is a skill learned like any other behavior
Empiricist view – learned behavior molded by the environment
B.F. Skinner – environment shapes behavior – speech is not rule governed, but shaped by stituations
