30 Questions
What did Noam Chomsky emphasize in relation to language development?
Biological determinism
Which theorist is associated with the concept of linguistic relativity?
Benjamin Lee Whorf
What is the significance of phonemes in language?
They are the smallest speech units that can be distinguished perceptually
What determines the nature of one's thought?
Language acquisition
What is the notable feature of bilingualism?
Different vocabularies and grammatical rules
How are languages structured according to the text?
Hierarchical
At what age do most children begin to appreciate irony?
6-8 years old
What is metalinguistic awareness?
The ability to reflect on the use of language
What occurs when children are learning grammar and make mistakes like saying 'runned' instead of 'ran'?
Overregularization
When do children start combining words?
End of their 2nd year
What is the term used for the early sentences resembling telegrams due to omitting less critical words?
Telegraphic
What is the first type of vocabulary children typically acquire according to the text?
Concrete objects
What are some cognitive benefits associated with bilingualism?
Higher cognitive flexibility and analytical reasoning
How do bilingual individuals differ in terms of cognitive control compared to monolingual individuals?
Bilinguals have enhanced executive control relative to monolinguals
What advantage do bilingual adults have in cognitive tasks according to the text?
Superior performance in tasks involving executive processes
How does bilingualism potentially delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease symptoms?
Creating a cognitive reserve
What is a possible benefit of being raised in a bilingual home environment according to the text?
Enhanced ability to control and switch attention
How do bilingual patients compare with monolingual patients in terms of dementia onset according to the text?
Monolingual patients experience dementia 4 years later on average
Which term describes when a child incorrectly uses a word to describe a narrower set of objects or actions than it is meant to?
Under-extensions
What is the process by which children map onto an underlying concept after exposure?
Fast Mapping
What occurs when grammatical rules are incorrectly generalized to irregular cases where they do not apply?
Overregularization
Who argues that human infants are well prepared to learn language and have perceptual biases that facilitate language acquisition?
Janet Werker
At what age does overextension typically appear in children according to the text?
Ages 1-2
By grade 5, what is the average vocabulary size of an average child according to the text?
~10,000 words
What is the main issue with Whorf's hypothesis?
It undermines the idea of a universal foundation for human cognition
During which period did psychology initially concentrate on the mind and utilize introspection?
Emergence of psychology
What advantage does bilingualism offer in terms of total vocabulary compared to monolingual children?
Bilingual children have a similar or slightly superior total vocabulary when both languages are combined
What method do chimps utilize to communicate since they lack the proper vocal apparatus for human speech?
Geometric symbols representing words
Steven Pinker argues that human language ability is:
The result of natural selection
What distinguishes humans' talent for language according to Steven Pinker?
A species-specific trait developed through natural selection
Study Notes
Bilingualism and Language Development
- Bilingual children develop higher cognitive flexibility, analytical reasoning, selective attention, and metalinguistic awareness.
- Bilinguals show delayed decline in cognitive abilities, with a 4-year delay in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
- Bilingual children develop better attentional control and executive control, which persists into adulthood and old age.
Language Acquisition
- Infants and "crib bilingual" show enhanced ability to control and switch attention when raised in a bilingual home environment.
- Children start combining words by the end of their 2nd year, with early sentences being telegraphic.
- Overregularizations and under-extensions occur when children incorrectly apply grammatical rules or use words too narrowly or broadly.
Theories of Language
- Behaviourist Theories, Nativist Theories, and Interactionist Theories are different approaches to understanding language development.
- Noam Chomsky emphasized the role of biology in language development, while B.F. Skinner argued that environmental factors govern language development.
Morphemes and Phonemes
- Morphemes are the smallest units of language, with around 50,000 in English.
- Phonemes are the smallest speech units, with around 40 in English.
Language and Thought
- The linguistic relativity hypothesis suggests that language influences thought and perception.
- Different languages can lead to different perceptions of the world, with examples including colour categorization and vocabulary for snow.
Refining Language Skills
- The largest strides in language development occur in the first 4-5 years, with most children developing metalinguistic awareness by age 6-8.
- Children begin to play with language, creating puns, metaphors, and jokes, and appreciate irony.
Animals and Language
- Chimpanzees can use American Sign Language (ASL) and geometric symbols to represent words.
- Humans' special talent for language is a species-specific trait that is the product of natural selection.
Explore the cognitive benefits of multilingualism and how it impacts various aspects of development. This quiz covers topics like cognitive flexibility, analytical reasoning, attentional control, and metalinguistic awareness in bilingual individuals.
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