Language
From of communication whether spoken, written, or signed, that is based on system of symbols
Infinite generativity
The ability to produce an endless number if meaningful sentences using a finite set of words and rules
Phonology
The sound system of a language, including the sounds that are used, and how they may be combined
Phoneme
A basic unit of sound in a language, the smallest unit of sound that affects meaning
Morphology
The rule system that governs how words are formed in language
Morpheme
Minimal unit of meaning, it is word or part of word that cannot be broken in smaller, more meaningful parts
Syntax
Involves the way words are combined to form acceptable phrases and sentences
Semantics
Refers to the meanings of words and sentences
Pragmatics
The appropriate use of language in different contexts
Telegraphic speech
Use of short and precise words without grammatical markers such as auxiliary verbs and other connectives. Develops between 18 and 24 months
Fast mapping
Children's ability to make an initial connection between a word and its referent after only limited exposure to the word
6 key principles in vocab development
- children learn words they hear most often
- learn words for things and events that interest them
- learn words best in responsive and interactive environments
- learn words best in contexts that are meaningful
- learn words best when they access clear i
Metalinguistic awareness
Knowledge about language, such as understanding what a preposition is
Phonics approach
Emphasizes that reading instruction should focus on teaching basic rules for translating written symbols into sounds
Whole language approach
Reading instruction should parallel children's natural language learning. Reading materials should be whole and meaningful
Broca's area
Left frontal lobe involved in speech production and grammatical processing
Wernicke's area
A region of the brains left hemisphere involved in language comprehension
Language acquisition device
Developed by chomsky - biological endowment that enables the child to detect certain features and the rules of language - not an actual part of the brain
Child directed speech
Language spoken in a higher pitch than normal with simple words and sentences
Recasting
Rephrasing something the child has said, turning it into a question or restating it in a fully grammatical form
Expanding
Restating in linguistically sophisticated form what a child has said
Labeling
Identifying the names of objects
Williams syndrome
genetic birth disorder - expressive verbal skills with extremely low IQ and limited visuopatial skills and motor control
Aphasia
a disorder resulting from brain damage to Broca's and Wernicke's area that involves a loss or impairment of ability to use or comprehend words
Interactionist view
If language acquisition depended only on biology, Genie and the Wild Boy should have talked without difficulty - a child's experiences influence language acquisition, but biology also has a strong influence
Early childhood
� Between 2 and 3 years of age they begin the transition from saying simple sentences that express a single proposition to saying complex sentences
� By the time children are 3 years old, they can produce all the vowel sounds and most consonant sounds
� G
Middle and late childhood
The process of categorization becomes easier as children grow older and their vocabulary expands
� Advances in vocabulary and grammar during the elementary school years are accompanied by the development of metalinguistic awareness - this awareness improv
Cognitive process to develop reading skills
1. Be aware of sound units in words, which consists of recognizing phonemes
2. Decoding words, which involves converting printed words into sounds
3. Accessing word meaning, which consists of finding a mental representation of a word's meaning
Adolescence
� With an increase in abstract thinking, adolescents are much better than children at analyzing the function a word performs in a sentence
� Adolescents learn to understand and use metaphors and satire
� Young adolescents often speak a dialect with their
Environmental influences
Behaviorists opposed Chomsky's hypothesis and argues that language represents nothing more than chains of response acquired through reinforcement
o Behavioral flew is flawed - does not explain how people create novel sentences if language is acquired thro
Infancy
Before they can speak recognizable words, babies cry as a sign of distress, coo to express pleasure, and babble
� Infants start using gestures at about 8-12 months, such as nodding and waving
� Lack of pointing is a significant indicator of problems in th