9Brain and Language4 - Compatibility Mode_removed (1).pdf

Areas of difficulty in SLI • Functional words - “He like me?” instead of “Does he like me?” • Tense / person marking on verbs – “He walk” instead of “He walks” – “He walk” instead of “He walked” • Plural marking on nouns - “those dog” instead of - “four chair” instead of “those dogs” “four chairs...

Areas of difficulty in SLI • Functional words - “He like me?” instead of “Does he like me?” • Tense / person marking on verbs – “He walk” instead of “He walks” – “He walk” instead of “He walked” • Plural marking on nouns - “those dog” instead of - “four chair” instead of “those dogs” “four chairs” 10 SLI: A grammar gene? It has been argued that SLI is a genetic disorder. SLI does often run in families. Identical twins are more likely to share SLI than fraternal twins. SLI shows us that language is not connected with general intelligence in children. 11 Language & Cognition So, if language is truly separate from other cognitive abilities… …then we may expect to find other examples of drastic differences between language skills and other cognitive skills. • This turns out to be true. 12 Williams Syndrome Williams Syndrome: Results in intact language, but low general intelligence. 13 Williams Syndrome • Genetic disorder • Overall IQ: 50-70 • Limited spatial and motor skills (may not be able to tie shoes or cut with a knife) • Extremely social and friendly • Average-High level of vocabulary and grammar; sometimes slightly “off” semantics • Often love music 14