Week 6 - Lecture 6 Flashcards
How does Bloom (1998) define language?
A code for representing ideas through arbitrary signals (words), including grammar, symbols, real-world representation, and articulation of new concepts.
What is the difference between language and communication?
Language is complex and unique to humans, while communication can be simpler, as seen in animals like vervet monkeys.
What is speech in relation to language?
Neurological control of sound production, which is not necessarily language (e.g., sign language).
How many languages exist today, and what is the prediction for their future?
Over 7,000 languages exist today, but more than half may disappear by 2100.
What significant reduction in languages has occurred in Australia?
Only 40 languages remain of the original 250.
At what gestation week does the fetal auditory system begin developing?
By 26 weeks gestation.
What do newborns prefer in terms of auditory input?
Their mother’s voice, familiar speech sounds, and accents.
What is the Preferential Sucking Procedure?
A method where babies’ sucking rates vary with exposure to different sounds, indicating sound recognition.
What is the Learning Theories perspective on language acquisition?
Language acquisition is viewed as imitation and reinforcement, but it fails to explain children’s rapid complexity and creativity.
What do case studies like Johann and Genie illustrate about language acquisition?
Children can acquire language even with disordered input, but the process is impaired after a critical period.
What does the Sensitive Period Hypothesis suggest?
The ability to acquire language is strongest early in life and may decline with age.
What is the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) proposed by Chomsky?
An innate ability in humans to acquire language through a brain mechanism that extracts grammatical rules from input.
At what age do children typically experience a vocabulary spurt?
Around 18 months.
What is overextension in language development?
When children extend words to a broader range of objects than appropriate.
What is holophrastic speech?
The use of single words to convey complex meanings.
What characterizes telegraphic speech?
Two-word utterances that omit function words.
What is Child-Directed Speech (CDS)?
Modifications adults make when speaking to children, such as exaggerated intonation and simplified vocabulary.
What are the two forms of the CDS hypothesis?
- Strong form: CDS is necessary for language learning. * Weak form: CDS facilitates language learning but is not essential.
How does parental input affect children’s vocabulary development?
Both quantity and quality of parental input significantly impact vocabulary development, especially when interactive.
What are over-regularization errors?
Errors where children apply grammatical rules too broadly, indicating learning of grammatical structures.
How do children acquire grammatical structures according to the text?
Children acquire grammatical rules first and later learn exceptions.
How do cultural variations influence language acquisition?
Different cultures influence language development in unique ways, with some prioritizing socialization over language structure.
What is the link between language development and toolmaking?
Development of language might be linked to toolmaking, with overlapping brain regions activated during both activities.
What do studies with apes like Kanzi reveal about their language abilities?
Apes can communicate but do not fully acquire language as humans do, lacking syntax generation.
