7.2 Language
3 min read•june 24, 2024
Language is a complex system of communication that humans use to express thoughts and ideas. From babies to eloquent adults, we develop language skills through various milestones, learning to combine sounds, words, and to convey meaning.
Our brains are wired for , with theories like suggesting an innate capacity. Language shapes how we think, remember, and perceive the world, influencing our cognition and social interactions in profound ways.
Language and Communication
Components and functions of language
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- represent the smallest units of sound in a language that combine to form words and convey meaning (consonants, vowels)
- constitute the smallest units of meaning in a language and can be words or parts of words such as prefixes (un-, re-) and suffixes (-ing, -ed)
- encompasses the rules governing the structure and order of words in a sentence, allowing for the creation of grammatically correct sentences (subject-verb-object order)
- involves the meaning of words and phrases in a language, including both literal (denotation) and figurative (connotation) meanings
- deals with the social and contextual aspects of language use, involving understanding the speaker's intentions (sarcasm, politeness) and adjusting language accordingly (formal vs. informal settings)
- Grammar refers to the set of rules that govern the structure of language, including syntax and morphology
- is the study of sound patterns in language, including how phonemes are organized and used
Milestones in language development
- Babbling occurs between 6-8 months when infants produce repetitive syllables like "bababa" or "mamama," developing the ability to produce speech sounds
- First words emerge between 12-18 months as infants begin to produce single words with meaning (mama, dada), with vocabulary growing slowly at first, then rapidly increasing
- Two-word phrases appear between 18-24 months when children combine two words to form simple phrases like "more milk" or "go outside," marking the beginning of syntax development
- happens between 24-30 months as children use short, simplified sentences that convey essential meaning, often omitting grammatical elements like articles (a, the) and prepositions (in, on)
- Complex sentences develop between 3-5 years when children begin to use more advanced grammatical features, including:
- Conjunctions (and, but, because)
- Relative clauses (who, which, that)
- Embedded clauses (I think that...)
- Pragmatic development is an ongoing process as children learn to use language appropriately in social contexts, understanding turn-taking, politeness (please, thank you), and nonverbal cues (facial expressions, gestures)
Language acquisition and structure
- Language acquisition is the process by which humans develop the ability to perceive, produce, and use words to understand and communicate
- The refers to the mental dictionary of words and their meanings that individuals possess
- Universal grammar, a theory proposed by , suggests that all human languages share certain structural properties and that humans have an innate capacity for language acquisition
Language's influence on cognition
- , also known as the , suggests that the structure and vocabulary of a language can influence how speakers perceive and think about the world (color terms, grammatical gender)
- Cognitive benefits of include enhanced cognitive flexibility and executive functioning, with bilinguals often showing advantages in attention control, task switching (alternating between languages), and problem-solving
- Language plays a crucial role in encoding, storing, and retrieving memories, with the way events are described and discussed shaping how they are remembered (vivid descriptions, emotional language)
- Language allows for the representation and manipulation of abstract concepts, with and verbal reasoning facilitating problem-solving (talking through steps) and decision-making (weighing pros and cons)
- Language is essential for understanding and expressing emotions (happy, sad, angry), beliefs (I think..., I believe...), and intentions (I want to..., I plan to...), making effective communication crucial for social interaction and relationship building (conflict resolution, empathy)
Key Terms to Review (17)
Babbling: Babbling is the stage in early language development where infants produce repetitive, meaningless vocalizations, typically starting around 6 months of age. It is considered a crucial precursor to the development of true language skills.
Bilingualism: Bilingualism refers to the ability to speak and understand two languages fluently. It involves the regular use and proficiency in both a primary language and a secondary language, allowing an individual to communicate effectively in multiple linguistic contexts.
Grammar: Grammar refers to the set of rules and structures that govern the way words are combined to form meaningful sentences in a language. It encompasses the principles of word formation, sentence structure, and the relationships between different parts of speech.
Inner Speech: Inner speech, also known as self-talk or private speech, refers to the internal verbal thoughts and language processes that occur within an individual's mind without being expressed outwardly. It is a fundamental aspect of human cognition and plays a crucial role in various psychological processes.
Language Acquisition: Language acquisition is the process by which humans, particularly children, develop the ability to perceive, understand, and produce language. It involves the complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and environmental factors that enable individuals to acquire and use a language effectively.
Lexicon: The lexicon refers to the complete set of words that are known and used by an individual or within a language. It encompasses the vocabulary, including the meanings, pronunciations, and spellings of words, that a person or language has at their disposal.
Linguistic Relativity: Linguistic relativity is the principle that the language one speaks influences the way one thinks and perceives the world. It suggests that the structure of a language affects the worldview of its speakers, shaping their cognition and behavior.
Morphemes: Morphemes are the smallest meaningful units of language. They are the building blocks of words, consisting of a root word and any prefixes or suffixes attached to it. Morphemes are central to understanding the structure and formation of words in the context of language development and linguistics.
Noam Chomsky: Noam Chomsky is a renowned American linguist, philosopher, and political activist who has made significant contributions to the field of psychology, particularly in the areas of language and cognitive science. His work has been influential in shaping our understanding of the innate human capacity for language acquisition and the underlying principles of language structure.
Phonemes: Phonemes are the smallest units of sound that distinguish one word from another in a language. They are the building blocks of speech and are essential for understanding and producing language effectively.
Phonology: Phonology is the study of the sound system of a language, including the inventory of speech sounds, their patterns, and how they are organized and used within a language. It is a core component of linguistic analysis and understanding the structure of language.
Pragmatics: Pragmatics is the study of how language is used in real-world contexts and how the meaning of language is influenced by the situation, the speakers, and their goals. It focuses on the practical aspects of language use and how it is shaped by the social and cultural environment.
Sapir-Whorf hypothesis: The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is the theory that the language an individual speaks influences their worldview and cognition. It suggests that the structure of a language shapes the ways in which its speakers perceive and make sense of the world around them.
Semantics: Semantics is the study of meaning in language. It explores how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning and how that meaning is interpreted and understood by language users.
Syntax: Syntax refers to the set of rules and principles that govern the structure of a language, determining how words and phrases are arranged to form grammatically correct sentences. It is a fundamental aspect of language that allows for clear and meaningful communication.
Telegraphic Speech: Telegraphic speech refers to a stage of language development in young children where their utterances consist of only the most essential words, typically lacking function words like articles, prepositions, and auxiliary verbs. This simplified speech pattern is a normal part of early language acquisition.
Universal Grammar: Universal Grammar is a theory in linguistics that proposes the existence of a innate, biological component of the human mind that allows children to acquire language rapidly and easily. It suggests that all human languages share a common underlying structure and set of principles that are hardwired into the brain.