Linguistic Theories and Second Language Learning
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Questions and Answers

What is the Whorf Hypothesis?

The Whorf Hypothesis suggests that language influences thought and perception.

Which version of the Whorf Hypothesis states that language controls thought?

  • Weak Version
  • Strong Version (correct)

    • Which version of the Whorf Hypothesis states that language shapes thought?

  • Strong Version
  • Weak Version (correct)

    • Which of these is NOT a key study supporting the Whorf Hypothesis?

    <p>Memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does language affect spatial cognition?

    <p>Languages that use absolute terms like &quot;north/south&quot; have been shown to improve navigation skills.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the concept of "L1 Problem" in second language learning.

    <p>The first language (L1) can interfere with the learning of a second language (L2) by affecting pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Learning a second language in early childhood has no significant effect on fluency.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Adults can still learn a second language well, but may face challenges with pronunciation and grammar.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two types of bilinguals?

    <p>Simultaneous and Subsequent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are some of the difficulties associated with learning a second language?

    <p>Challenges include pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and cultural nuances like idioms and slang.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    For English speakers, which language is generally considered easier to learn?

    <p>Spanish</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does "receptive language" refer to?

    <p>Listening and reading</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain code-switching.

    <p>Code-switching is switching between two languages during a conversation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Language Acquisition Device (LAD)?

    <p>Proposed by Noam Chomsky, the LAD is an innate, biological mechanism that helps humans learn language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the Language Acquisition Support System (LASS).

    <p>Proposed by Jerome Bruner, LASS emphasizes the social and environmental support needed for language learning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of caregiver speech helps grab a child's attention?

    <p>Higher pitch and exaggerated intonation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Caregiver speech is characterized by complex vocabulary and grammar.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is overextension in child language development?

    <p>Overextension is using a word too broadly, like calling all four-legged animals &quot;dog.&quot;</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the Wug Test?

    <p>The Wug Test demonstrates that children apply grammatical rules, not just memorize examples.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mental images are always like pictures.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is mental rotation?

    <p>Mental rotation is the ability to mentally turn an object in your mind.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is bounded rationality?

    <p>Bounded rationality suggests that humans are not perfectly rational decision-makers due to cognitive limitations and shortcuts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Barnum Effect?

    <p>The Barnum Effect describes the tendency to believe vague statements are specifically about us.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Spectacular Explanation Fallacy?

    <p>The Spectacular Explanation Fallacy is the idea that significant events must have significant explanations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Availability Heuristic?

    <p>The Availability Heuristic involves judging the likelihood of an event based on how easily examples come to mind.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Representativeness Heuristic?

    <p>The Representativeness Heuristic involves judging something based on its similarity to a prototype or stereotype.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Gambler’s Fallacy?

    <p>The Gambler's Fallacy is the belief that past random events influence future outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Decision‐making is easy.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key finding of Shepard and Metzler's (1971) mental rotation study?

    <p>Reaction time for mentally rotating an object increases linearly with the degree of rotation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Whorf Hypothesis

    • Language shapes thought and perception.
    • Strong version (Linguistic Determinism): Language dictates thought (limited evidence).
    • Weak version (Linguistic Relativity): Language influences how people think (strong evidence).
    • Color perception: Languages with fewer color words influence color categorization.
    • Spatial cognition: Terms like "north/south" aid navigation.
    • Numeracy: Limited number vocabularies impact arithmetic skills (e.g., Pirahã people).
    • Examples: "Y'all" clarifies plurality, "they" is a gender-neutral pronoun.

    Second Language Learning

    • L1 problem: First language can hinder second language acquisition.
    • Examples: Mispronunciation, grammatical errors influenced by L1.
    • Best time to learn: Early childhood for native-like fluency; adults can learn but face pronunciation/grammar challenges.
    • Simultaneous vs. subsequent bilinguals: Simultaneous: learn both languages from birth; Subsequent: learn the second language later.
    • Difficult aspects: Pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and cultural nuances (e.g., idioms, slang).
    • Easier languages for English speakers: Spanish, French (similar grammar/vocabulary).
    • Harder languages for English speakers: Mandarin, Arabic (different grammar/writing systems).
    • Terms: Receptive language (understanding), Productive language (producing).
    • Code-switching: Alternating between languages in conversation ("I'm tired, pero no puedo dormir").

    Child Language Development

    • Language Acquisition Device (LAD): A biological mechanism for learning language (Chomsky).
    • LAD components: Includes innate universal grammar rules. Most effective during early childhood.
    • Language Acquisition Support System (LASS): Social and environmental support for language learning (Bruner).
    • Components of LASS: Caregiver support, cultural tools (books).
    • Caregiver speech (infant-directed speech): High pitch, exaggerated intonation, simplified language, repetition, and slower speech to aid comprehension.
    • Vocabulary expansion: Object labeling ("This is a ball").
    • Over-extension: Using a word too broadly (e.g., all four-legged animals are "dogs").
    • Under-extension: Using a word too narrowly (e.g., only their pet is a "dog").
    • Wug test: Shows children apply language rules (pluralizing "wug" to "wugs").
    • Key insight: Children learn grammatical rules, not simply examples.

    Mental Imagery

    • Mental images are like pictures? Both yes and no.
    • YES-supporting research:
      • Scanning (Kosslyn): Reaction time increases with distance on mental maps.
      • Resolution (Kosslyn): Larger mental images are easier to process.
      • Mental rotation (Shepard & Metzler): Reaction time increases linearly with rotation angle.
    • NO-supporting research:
      • Ambiguous figures (Chambers & Reisberg): Mental images are harder to reinterpret than photos.
      • Mental maps (Stevens & Coupe): Maps have systematic distortions.
      • Schema intrusion (Nickerson & Adams): Memory relies more on general knowledge than visual details.
    • Epiphenomenal: Mental images may be a byproduct of cognition, not causing it.

    Decision-Making and Heuristics

    • Bounded rationality: Humans use cognitive shortcuts (heuristics) due to mental limitations.
    • Examples of heuristics:
      • Barnum effect: Embracing vague statements that seem personal (horoscopes).
      • Spectacular explanation fallacy: Seeking complex causes for unusual events (plane crash).
      • Availability heuristic: Judging likelihood based on ease of examples.
      • Representativeness heuristic: Judging based on stereotypes or similarity to a prototype (e.g., bookish person = librarian).
      • Gambler's fallacy: Believing past random events affect future events (coin flips).
    • Reasons for difficulty in decision-making: Information overload, cognitive limitations, emotional biases, and social factors.

    Mental Rotation (Shepard & Metzler, 1971)

    • Key finding: Reaction time increases linearly with rotation angle (0° to 180°).
    • Explanation: Participants mentally rotate objects, not just respond to the visual comparison.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the Whorf Hypothesis and its implications on thought and perception, including the strong and weak versions of linguistic relativity. It also examines challenges and strategies in second language acquisition, especially the influence of the first language. Test your understanding of language's impact on cognition and learning.

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