Psycholinguistics Chapter 9
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Questions and Answers

Why was Robert Meyer arrested in 1920?

  • He promoted German culture in public schools.
  • He refused to teach English to his students.
  • He did not pass the teacher certification exam.
  • He violated a Nebraska law by teaching German to a 10-year-old boy. (correct)

    • How did the Nebraska Supreme Court justify its ruling against Meyer?

  • By emphasizing the importance of teaching English.
  • By citing a lack of constitutional protection for teaching.
  • By stating foreign languages harmed children's cognitive abilities.
  • By claiming the German language embodied German national character and values. (correct)

    • What was the decision of the United States Supreme Court regarding Meyer's case?

  • They upheld his conviction.
  • They required Meyer to only teach English.
  • They overturned Meyer's conviction and declared the language laws unconstitutional. (correct)
  • They declared teaching foreign languages unconstitutional.

    • Which of the following did the US Supreme Court state in its ruling?

    <p>Knowledge of the German language cannot reasonably be regarded as harmful. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did Nebraska and other states pass laws against teaching foreign languages?

    <p>To reduce the influence of German culture (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the Siman Act prohibit?

    <p>Teaching any subject in a language other than English to children under 13 years old. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which languages were allowed to be taught under the Siman Act?

    <p>Only dead languages like Latin and Greek. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What historical event influenced the passage of language laws like the Siman Act?

    <p>World War I (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the US Supreme Court state about the German language in its ruling?

    <p>Knowledge of German cannot reasonably be regarded as harmful. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What psycholinguistic question does Meyer's case raise?

    <p>Does a language represent the culture and values of its speakers? (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What claim did Wilhelm von Humboldt make about language in 1836?

    <p>Language reflects the spirit and national character of a people. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The relationship of language, thought, and culture is central to psycholinguistics.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Siman Act allowed the teaching of foreign languages to children under 13 years old.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Nebraska's language laws primarily targeted Latin and Greek.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Meyer's case was initially rejected by the Nebraska Supreme Court.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The US Supreme Court supported the idea that a language represents the national character and values of a people.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Nebraska language law was a reaction to anti-German sentiment after World War I.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The US Supreme Court ruled that teaching foreign languages is unconstitutional.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The US Supreme Court's ruling highlighted that knowledge of a foreign language does not necessarily convey cultural values.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Meyer was arrested for teaching Bible stories in German to children over 13 years old.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Siman Act was passed to prevent the teaching of foreign languages in the wake of anti-German sentiment after World War I.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Nebraska Supreme Court supported Meyer's appeal.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The US Supreme Court declared that knowledge of a foreign language does not necessarily convey cultural values.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All 50 US states passed similar laws to the Siman Act after World War I.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the US Supreme Court, knowing a foreign language cannot reasonably be regarded as harmful.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Latin and Greek were exempt from Nebraska's foreign language restrictions.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Meyer's case was ultimately ruled unconstitutional based on both constitutional and psycholinguistic grounds.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difficulty in determining a safe second language?

    <p>The political and cultural associations of different languages. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example illustrates the complexity of determining 'safe' and 'harmful' second languages?

    <p>Teaching Spanish despite differences between Cuba and Spain. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the four principal formulations regarding the relationship between language, thought, and culture?

    <p>Thought depends on speech, thought depends on language, language shapes perception, and language shapes worldview. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Theory 1, what is essential for thought?

    <p>Speech (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Theory 2 propose about language and thought?

    <p>Language is essential for developing thought. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Theory 3 suggest about the relationship between language and perception?

    <p>Language influences how we perceive the physical world. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Theory 4, what does language shape?

    <p>Worldview and cultural understanding (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What complicates determining whether a second language is 'safe' or 'harmful'?

    <p>The political and cultural associations of different languages. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example illustrates the complexity of labeling a second language as 'safe' or 'harmful'?

    <p>Teaching Spanish given the political differences between Cuba and Spain. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Theory 1 suggest about the relationship between thought and speech?

    <p>Speech is essential for developing thought. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main claim of Theory 3?

    <p>Language influences our perception of the physical world. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Theory 4 argue about the role of language?

    <p>Language shapes our understanding of the world and culture. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A second language can be considered harmful if it conflicts with societal morals and values.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Political associations of languages, such as Communism or democracy, complicate the determination of 'safe' second languages.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Theory 1 claims that thought is impossible without written language.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Theory 3 suggests that learning a language determines how we perceive the physical world.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Theory 4, learning a language influences our understanding of the world and culture.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Theories 1 and 2 both emphasize that language is essential for thought but differ in the role of speech.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The text raises the question of whether a second language can conflict with societal morals and values.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Political and cultural associations of a language make it easy to determine whether it is 'safe’ or ‘harmful.'

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Theory 1 claims that speech is essential for developing thought.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Meyer Case

    Robert Meyer was arrested for teaching German, violating Nebraska law.

    US Supreme Court Ruling

    The Court overturned Meyer's conviction, declaring language laws unconstitutional.

    Significance of Language in Culture

    Language embodies the national character and cultural values of a people.

    Siman Act

    Prohibited teaching in a language other than English to children under 13.

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    Thought and Language Dependency

    Theory suggests thought depends on speech for development.

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    Wilhelm von Humboldt's Claim

    Language reflects the spirit and national character of a people.

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    Bilingual Education Debate

    Concerns whether a second language can be 'safe' or 'harmful'.

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    Theory 1 Overview

    Speech is essential for the development of thought.

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    Child Comprehension vs. Production

    Children comprehend language often before they can produce it.

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    Non-verbal Thought

    Individuals, such as those with speech deficits, can still think clearly.

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    Theory 2 Significance

    Language is essential for developing thought according to this theory.

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    Deaf Individuals and Thought

    Deaf persons can think without language, showing thought independence.

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    Theory 3's Focus

    Language shapes our perception of the world.

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    Color Vocabulary Research

    Language influences how we interpret colors, evidenced in studies.

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    Inuit Snow Vocabulary

    The extensive vocabulary for snow in Inuit culture reflects environmental needs.

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    Theory 4 Overview

    Language shapes cultural beliefs and social views.

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    Multilingual Worldviews

    Multilingual individuals may have integrated or distinct worldviews.

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    Erroneous Belief About Language Analysis

    It was believed that surface structure analysis suffices for meaning.

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    Hopi Language

    Hopi language purportedly lacks references to time.

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    Relationship Between Thought and Language

    Best theory posits that thought is independent of language.

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    John Locke's View

    Language serves as a tool to express invisible ideas.

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    Social Interaction and Language

    Human language develops through the need for social communication.

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    Cognitive Flexibility in Multilinguals

    Multilingual individuals can switch perspectives across languages.

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    Evidence Against Linguistic Determinism

    Studies showed that thought and language are not directly correlated.

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    Impact of Vocabulary on Thought

    Vocabulary can shape how we conceptualize experiences.

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    Cultural Shifts and Language Grammar

    Societal changes occur independently of grammatical structures in language.

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    Complexity of Languages

    All languages are of similar complexity despite surface differences.

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    Meaning Acquisition of Words

    Words derive meaning from conventional associations and experiences.

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    Primitive vs. Modern Languages

    Beliefs about primitive languages being inferior have been debunked.

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    Study Notes

    Summary of Quiz Chapter 9

    • Robert Meyer was arrested in 1920 for violating a Nebraska law by teaching German to a 10-year-old boy.
    • The Nebraska Supreme Court justified its ruling by claiming German embodied German national character and values, citing a lack of constitutional protection for teaching German.
    • The US Supreme Court overturned Meyer's conviction, stating language laws were unconstitutional as knowledge of a foreign language couldn't be considered harmful.
    • The US Supreme Court stated knowledge of German couldn't reasonably be considered harmful.
    • Nebraska and other states passed laws against teaching foreign languages to reduce the influence of German culture.
    • The Siman Act prohibited teaching foreign languages to children under 13 years old.
    • The Siman Act was influenced by anti-German sentiment.
    • The relationship between language, thought, and culture is central to psycholinguistics. Wilhelm von Humboldt argued in 1836 that language reflects the spirit and national character of a people.
    • Four principal formulations regarding the relationship between language, thought, and culture exist.
    • Theory 1 suggests thought depends on speech. Behaviorists like Liberman's Motor Theory of Speech Perception supported this.
    • Theory 2 suggests language is essential for developing thought. Sapir, Whorf, and Vygotsky spearheaded this theory.
    • Theory 3 suggests language shapes perception.
    • Theory 4 suggests language influences cultural and social beliefs and world views.
    • The importance of speech in thinking came up frequently.
    • There are varied perspectives and discussions about the relationship between language, thought, and culture, and how these theories have been understood and developed.

    Theory 1 (Speech is Essential for Thought)

    • Proponents: Behaviorists like Liberman.
    • Central claim: Thought is derived from speech production.
    • Criticism: Evidence that speech comprehension often precedes speech production in children, demonstrating the independence of thought from speech production. Cases of individuals like Stephen Hawking and Christopher Reeve are presented as evidence against this theory. Their thought and cognitive abilities survived despite severely impaired speech.

    Theory 2 (Language is Essential for Thought)

    • Proponents: Sapir, Whorf, Vygotsky.
    • Central claim: Language is vital for thought development.
    • Objections: Case of deaf individuals, who can think even without sign language. The trilingual family study suggests unified thought regardless of language use.

    Theory 3 (Language Shapes Perception)

    • Central claim: Language molds our perception of the world. A person's language determines their view of the world.
    • Critique: Some research found that language did not affect perception, that it just affects how people communicate their perceptions.

    Theory 4 (Language Shapes Cultural Worldview)

    • Central claim: Language greatly influences cultural and social perspectives.
    • Objections: People with similar ideas despite using different languages, as seen in the example of Communism.
    • Theory 4 suggests that language influences cultural and social beliefs.
    • Critiques: The idea that people with similar ideas will still use differing languages. This is especially relevant in societies with diverse groups.

    Key Entities

    • Robert Meyer
    • Nebraska law
    • US Supreme Court
    • Siman Act
    • Wilhelm von Humboldt
    • Sapir, Whorf, Vygotsky
    • Alvin Liberman
    • Stephen Hawking and Christopher Reeve
    • Helen Keller

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    Quiz: Chapter 9 - Language, Thought, and Culture PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers Chapter 9 of Psycholinguistics, focusing on the historical case of Robert Meyer and the legal implications of teaching foreign languages in the United States. It discusses the Nebraska Supreme Court's ruling, the influence of anti-German sentiment, and the relationship between language, thought, and culture. Explore the impact of significant court decisions on language education and cultural values.

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