Thinking and Language

Thinking and LanguageLanguageLanguage: the expression of ideas through symbols (spoken/written/etc.) that are arranged according to rules Three building blocks Phonemes: the smallest basic sound units

LanguageMorphemes: smallest unit of meaningCan be a letter (a), word (cat), prefix (un-), or suffix (-ly)Grammar: the rules of a given language.Semantic: the rules used to find meaning in a word/sentence/etc.Ex. Semantics allows you to understand both of the following sentences: A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Do you mind if I sit next to you?Syntax: the rules for putting together words into sentences in a given language.A white house becomes un casa blancaLanguage DevelopmentBabbling begins around 4 months.By 10 months, babies babbling sound more closely reflects the language of the home.The one-word stage begins around age 1.May only be one word, but they use inflection to suggest further meaning.The two-word stage begins around age 2.Children tend to overgeneralize grammar rules (use them in incorrect ways)Ex. Daddy goed to the storeLanguage (Nature/Nurture)The major question (for a while) became whether or not there was a critical period for acquiring languageLearning a second language is much more difficult after the critical period of early childhoodBecoming deaf/gaining hearing (ala a cochlear implant) after about 5-6 makes learning the new language much more difficultIf we were more serious (as a society) about learning Spanish, French, etc., wed push it in elementary school