Language and Thought

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of a morpheme?

  • The arrangement of words in the sentence, 'The cat sat on the mat.'
  • The word 'replayed' consisting of 're-', 'play', and '-ed', each contributing to the word's overall meaning. (correct)
  • The individual sounds /k/, /a/, and /t/ combining to form the word 'cat'.
  • Understanding that the word 'run' can refer to both the act of running and a defect in tights.

A child is in the early stages of language development and mainly uses single words to communicate. Which stage of language development is this child most likely in?

  • Babbling stage
  • One-word stage (correct)
  • Telegraphic speech stage
  • Two-word stage

Damage to Wernicke's area in the brain is most likely to cause which of the following impairments?

  • Inability to produce fluent speech.
  • Difficulty understanding language. (correct)
  • Impairment in motor control of speech muscles.
  • Loss of the ability to write.

According to Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, what is a fundamental principle of language acquisition?

<p>Humans are born with an innate predisposition to learn grammatical rules. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical period hypothesis in language acquisition primarily concerned with?

<p>The optimal time frame during which a first language can be acquired fluently. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linguistic determinism suggests that language has what kind of effect on thought?

<p>Language completely determines thought. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios illustrates telegraphic speech?

<p>A toddler saying &quot;Want juice.&quot; (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does linguistic relativism differ from linguistic determinism?

<p>Linguistic relativism proposes that language influences thought, whereas linguistic determinism suggests language determines thought. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of how language can influence perception?

<p>People categorize and perceive colors differently based on the language categories available to them. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of syntax in the structure of language?

<p>To provide the rules for ordering words into sentences (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A child says 'Mommy food' to indicate they want food from their mother. Which stage of language development does this best represent?

<p>Two-word stage (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between phonemes and morphemes?

<p>Phonemes combine to form morphemes, which are the smallest units of meaning. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is studying how quickly adults can learn a second language. Based on research about critical periods, what would you expect to find?

<p>Adults often face more challenges than children in mastering a new language, particularly grammar and pronunciation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An individual has suffered damage to Broca's area. How is their language likely to be affected?

<p>Inability to produce fluent speech, though comprehension remains. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which provides the BEST description of the role of grammar in language?

<p>Grammar is a system of rules that enables humans to communicate, including semantics and syntax. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of linguistic relativism explain the differences in color perception among different cultures?

<p>Linguistic relativism suggests that language influences thought, including how people categorize and perceive colors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is investigating whether animals can truly use language. Which of the following would be the strongest evidence against the claim that animals possess human-like language?

<p>Animals have a limited vocabulary and struggle with complex grammatical structures. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, what is a key distinction between how children learn grammar, compared to adults learning a second language?

<p>Children have an innate capacity for grammar, while adults rely more on learned rules. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Nicaraguan Sign Language developed rapidly among deaf children who had no prior common language. Which concept does this BEST illustrate?

<p>The innate capacity for language (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be made about the effects of deafness on language development?

<p>Early exposure to sign language is crucial for fluent language development in deaf children. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is testing the language skills of a young child. They note that the child understands simple commands like "sit down" but primarily communicates using single words. According to typical language development, which of the following stages is the child MOST likely in?

<p>One-word stage (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A child is learning to speak, and their utterances consist mainly of nouns and verbs, such as 'Want juice' or 'See doggie.' This is an example of which type of speech?

<p>Telegraphic speech (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates the concept of syntax?

<p>Understanding that 'The cat chased the mouse' has a different meaning than 'The mouse chased the cat'. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Damage to which area of the brain would MOST likely result in difficulties producing fluent speech?

<p>Broca's area (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the concept of a critical period in language acquisition, when would it be MOST difficult for a person to learn a new language and achieve native-like fluency?

<p>After the age of 7 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to linguistic relativism, how might the language a person speaks influence their perception of color?

<p>People who speak languages with more color terms may be better at distinguishing between subtle shades of color. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of semantics in language?

<p>To enable us to derive meaning from sounds, words, and sentences. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is studying Nicaraguan Sign Language, which emerged spontaneously among deaf children. What does the development of this language demonstrate about language acquisition?

<p>That humans have an innate capacity to create language, even without a pre-existing model. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher compares language abilities in chimpanzees who have learned sign language to those of a human child. Which of the following findings would provide the STRONGEST evidence suggesting that chimpanzee communication differs fundamentally from human language?

<p>Chimpanzees use signs primarily to request food or objects, whereas human children use language for a wider range of purposes, including sharing experiences and ideas. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Noam Chomsky, what is the significance of 'universal grammar' in the context of language acquisition?

<p>It implies that children are born with a predisposition to learn grammatical rules. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Nicaraguan Sign Language's development among deaf children support the understanding of language acquisition?

<p>It shows that language creation can occur spontaneously in social contexts, irrespective of pre-existing linguistic models. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is studying the brain activity of individuals learning a second language at different ages. Based on the information about brain plasticity, what is MOST likely to be observed?

<p>Younger learners utilize more brain areas, indicating greater brain plasticity and adaptability. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction between linguistic determinism and linguistic relativism?

<p>Linguistic determinism posits that language limits thought, while linguistic relativism suggests language only influences thought. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the communication methods of animals, such as the alarm calls of monkeys, differ from human language?

<p>Animal communication generally lacks the complexity, grammar, and generativity of human language. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Suppose a child is exposed to language after the age of 7. According to the critical period hypothesis, what is the MOST likely outcome?

<p>The child will have difficulty achieving full comprehension and use of the language. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An individual struggles to comprehend spoken language but can still produce fluent, albeit nonsensical, speech. Which area of the brain is MOST likely affected?

<p>Wernicke's area, responsible for language comprehension (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is investigating how language affects the perception of colors. According to the principles of linguistic relativism, what might they expect to find?

<p>Speakers of languages with more words for certain colors are better able to distinguish between shades of those colors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A 2-year-old child is in the two-word stage of language development. Which utterance is the child MOST likely to produce?

<p>&quot;Want milk.&quot; (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'grammar' relate to the building blocks of language?

<p>Grammar establishes the rules guiding the arrangement of words into sentences, utilizing semantics to derive meaning. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is evaluating the language skills of chimpanzees taught sign language. What finding would suggest their communication differs most significantly from human language?

<p>Chimpanzees rarely combine signs in novel ways to create new meanings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher observes that a young child consistently uses the word 'goed' instead of 'went.' Which aspect of language development does this MOST directly relate to?

<p>Morphology, as it involves the incorrect application of grammatical rules to word formation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the principles of linguistic relativism, how might learning a second language that has grammatical genders (e.g., Spanish, French) affect a person's perception?

<p>They may begin to associate gendered qualities with objects that are grammatically gendered in the new language. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Following a head injury, a patient can produce speech effortlessly, but the content is largely nonsensical. They also struggle significantly with language comprehension. Which area of the brain is MOST likely affected?

<p>Wernicke's area, located in the temporal lobe. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A team of researchers is studying whether chimpanzees can truly use language. Which of the following findings would provide the STRONGEST evidence against the claim that chimpanzees possess human-like language?

<p>Chimpanzees use signs primarily to request rewards, with limited spontaneous or creative usage. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the concept of a critical period in language acquisition, which scenario would MOST likely result in the LEAST successful acquisition of a first language?

<p>A child is not exposed to any language until after age 7. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a person can fluently speak and write, but cannot understand written or spoken language, which specific type of aphasia are they MOST likely to be diagnosed with?

<p>Wernicke's aphasia (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Noam Chomsky's theory of universal grammar, what is a key distinction between how children learn grammar, compared to adults learning a second language?

<p>Children use an innate language acquisition device, while adults rely more on conscious learning and memorization. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An English speaker is learning Mandarin Chinese, a language that relies heavily on tones to differentiate word meaning. According to linguistic relativism, how might this experience influence his perception?

<p>The learner may become more attuned to subtle differences in pitch and sound in all languages. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is studying the language development of a 3-year-old child. Which of the following utterances would BEST exemplify telegraphic speech?

<p>&quot;Mommy give cookie.&quot; (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A cognitive scientist is investigating how language shapes thought, focusing on the color perception of speakers of different languages. What approach is this scientist MOST likely using?

<p>Linguistic relativism to explore how language influences thought. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Phoneme

Smallest distinctive sound unit in a language.

Morpheme

Smallest unit that carries meaning.

Grammar

System of rules enabling communication, including semantics and syntax.

Semantics

The rules used to derive meaning from sounds.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Syntax

The rules for ordering words into sentences.

Signup and view all the flashcards

One-Word Stage

Speech stage from about 12 months old, where children speak mostly in single words.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Telegraphic Speech

Early speech resembling a telegram, using mostly nouns and verbs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Linguistic Determinism

Extreme view that language determines thought.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Linguistic Relativism

Moderate view that language influences thought.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Aphasia

Language impairment due to brain damage.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Language

Involves spoken, written, or signed words to communicate meaning and transmit knowledge.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Universal Grammar

Argues all languages share a set of basic elements.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Babbling Stage

Infants spontaneously utter sounds unrelated to household language, typically around 4 months.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Critical Period (Language)

A critical period for mastering language, with diminished capacity after age 7.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Broca's vs. Wernicke's

Broca's area damage impairs speech production; Wernicke's area damage impairs language comprehension.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Receptive Language

Ability to understand language develops before the ability to speak.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Natural Language Acquisition

Humans instinctively can grasp language, even without any instructions at all.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Language influences color

People perceive colors differently based on language categories and pronoun usage impacts feelings.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Thinking in Images

Using mental rehearsal improves skill and memory by activating brain regions involved in actual performance.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Two-Word Stage

The stage, around 24 months, when children form two-word statements.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Chomsky's Theory

Suggests innate language learning, later research shows the role of experience.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Broca's Area

Speech production area; Damage causes inability to speak fluently.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Wernicke's Area

Language comprehension area; Damage causes inability to understand language.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Babbling sounds

The sounds infants spontaneously make unrelated to household language.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Age 7

If children are not exposed to spoken or signed language by this age, they may not fully develop language.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Language and Thought

  • Language includes spoken, written, or signed words to communicate meaning
  • Language is used to transmit civilization knowledge
  • Language connects humans forming the foundation for communication and relationships

Language Structure

  • Phoneme – Smallest distinctive sound unit (e.g., "bat" has /b/ /a/ /t/)
  • Morpheme – Smallest unit that carries meaning (e.g., "unhappiness" has un-, happy, -ness)
  • Grammar – Rules enabling communication
  • Semantics derive meaning from sounds
  • Syntax orders words into sentences
  • Language is structured for clarity with phonemes forming morphemes, and grammar governs these structures

Noam Chomsky's Theory

  • All languages share a universal grammar, a set of basic elements
  • Humans are born with a built-in predisposition to learn grammar rules, not a specific language

Other Theories

  • Children learn grammar by discerning patterns
  • Languages are structurally diverse
  • Language learning may be more about experience than innate grammar

Creating a Language

  • Nicaraguan young deaf children invented Nicaraguan Sign Language with words and grammar
  • Language emerges in social contexts, blending nature and nurture
  • Humans develop language when needed, even without formal instruction

Language Acquisition and Development

  • Babies are born ready to learn any language
  • By 4 months, infants can distinguish speech sounds and recognize word breaks

Productive Language

  • Babbling Stage (4 months): Infants utter sounds, unrelated to household language
  • One-Word Stage (12 months): Children speak in single words (e.g., "Kitty!")
  • Two-Word Stage (24 months): Children form two-word statements (e.g., "Get ball")
  • Telegraphic Speech: Early speech using nouns and verbs (e.g., "Want cookie")
  • Language comprehension develops before production

Language Development Summary

  • 4 months: Babbling sounds, like "ah-goo"
  • 10 months: Babbling resembles household language, like "ma-ma"
  • 12 months: One-word speech, like "Kitty!"
  • 24 months: Two-word speech, like "Get ball."
  • 24+ months: Rapid development into full sentences, like "Where is my toy?"

Critical Periods

  • Childhood is a critical period for mastering language
  • If not exposed to language by age 7, children may lose the ability to fully comprehend and use any language

Effects of Late Exposure

  • Less complex language exposure leads to weaker skills
  • Second-language learning gets harder with age
  • Asian immigrants who arrived in the U.S. after age 7 showed lower grammatical accuracy
  • Younger learners acquire languages more easily than adults due to brain plasticity

Deafness and Language Development

  • Deaf children born to hearing parents often lack early language exposure
  • Late learners (after age 9) struggle with fluency
  • Less right hemisphere activity is seen in late sign language learners

Cochlear Implant Debate

  • 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents, who opt for cochlear implants
  • Deaf culture advocates oppose implants, arguing that deafness is not a disability
  • Early language exposure is crucial for fluency

The Brain and Language

  • Aphasia is language impairment due to brain damage
  • Broca's Area (Frontal Lobe, Left Hemisphere): Speech production
    • Damage here causes inability to speak fluently but can understand
  • Wernicke's Area (Temporal Lobe, Left Hemisphere): Language comprehension
    • Damage here causes inability to understand language but can speak in meaningless sentences
  • Different parts of the brain handle speaking, understanding, and processing language

Thinking and Language

  • Linguistic Determinism (Whorf's Hypothesis): Extreme view; Language determines thought
  • Example: Hopi speakers (who lack past tense) struggle to think about the past
  • Linguistic Relativism: Moderate view; Language influences thought
  • Example: Berinmo children in Papua New Guinea have multiple words for yellow, helping them distinguish shades better
  • People perceive colors differently depending on language categories
  • Language shapes how we categorize and perceive the world
  • Transgender and gender nonconforming youth report feeling respected and included when their pronouns are used
  • Gender prejudice also occurs more in gendered languages, such as French
  • Language shapes how we categorize and perceive the world

Thinking in Images

  • Mental rehearsal activates brain regions involved in actual performance
  • Process simulation (imaging steps to reach a goal) improves success
  • Thinking in images aids skill development, memory, and motivation

Other Species Language?

  • Animals communicate, but do they have language?
  • Pigeons can distinguish words from non-words
  • Monkeys use different alarm calls for predators
  • Chimpanzee Washoe can sign

Criticisms of Ape Language Studies

  • Simple vocabulary is utilized
  • Sentences lack grammar
  • Great difficulty acquiring words
  • Animals communicate but do not have the complexity of human language

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

More Like This

Merge in Universal Grammar
15 questions

Merge in Universal Grammar

ContrastyConsciousness avatar
ContrastyConsciousness
Noam Chomsky and Language Development
9 questions
Noam Chomsky and Generative Grammar
10 questions
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser