The Origins of Language Language and the Brain Chapters 1 & 12 The Origins of Language Language and the Brain

The Origins of Language

Discussion Questions Which came first: spoken language or written language? Where did language come from? What is onomatopoeia? How are humans unique in language production?

The Divine Source Religious explanations Hypothesis: if humans grew up not hearing language, would inherit God-given language (Psamtik’s and King James’ experiments) Many hypotheses were formed and tested. Some concluded some form of language is the original of all languages. Criticism: People speak different languages (are there many gods/goddesses responsible to particular religion in the world?) If human language was god gifted, language would not change. It would remain in its original form. Many experiment proved that a child should be exposed to a language in their early age to be able to speak This is Sarasvati, wife of Brahma

The Natural Sound Source A child is able to hear the outside surrounding in womb. S/he is already familiar to many sounds at the time of birth. Once outside of the womb, the child learns to make connection between the sound and the thing that produces it, and be able to learn language. Primitive words derived from sounds humans heard in natural environment: coo-coo, mew etc.(bow-wow theory) Sounds developed from humans instinctive sounds that they make in different emotional and painful circumstances. (pooh-pooh theory) Criticism: Language is not just names and few exclamatory words. It is much more complex but systematic. Onomatopoeia

The Social Interaction Source Early humans developed set of hums, grunts, curses while involved in physical efforts Apes have not developed capacity for speech Onomatopoeia

The Physical Adaptation Source This theory believes that human body has the most unique design to fit language. Types of physical features humans possess over other creatures Upright teeth (f, v) Intricate muscular flexibility in lips (b, m) Small mouth Shorter, thicker, muscular tongues Lower larynx or “voice box” and pharynx (choking) Onomatopoeia

The Physical Adaptation Source

The Tool-Making Source Manual gestures as precursor to language Lateralized brain (specialized functions in each hemisphere) Genetic mutation as source? Onomatopoeia

Discussion Questions What have you heard about left-brain activity? Right-brain activity? Where are the most important parts of the brain related to language functions located? What is Broca’s area responsible for? What is aphasia?

Language and the Brain

Broca and Wernicke’s Areas

Parts of Brain Dedicated to Language Broca’s Area Wernicke’s Area The Motor Cortex Arcuate Fasciculus Anterior Speech Area Responsible for the production of spoken language Damage to this part results in difficulty in speaking Gave strength to the idea that the right part of human brain does not have anything to do with speaking Posterior Speech Cortex Helps us to comprehend language Damage to this part results in difficulty understanding what is said Confirmed that language location of human brain is left not right Controls the muscle movements Is located close to Broca’s Area A bundle of nerve fibers Connects Wernicke’s are to Broca’s Area This happens: Our ears receive sounds and that goes to Wernicke’s area located to the left side of our brain. Wernicke’s area process the sound and makes a sense. Arcuate Fasciculus than carries the meaning to the Broca’s area, which decides how to react (what to say). The motor cortex then gives order to our tongue what to say.

Gage (1848) The study of Neurolinguistics begins…

Tip of the Tongue (Malapropisms) Slip of the Tongue (Spoonerisms) Speech Phenomena Tip of the Tongue (Malapropisms) Slip of the Tongue (Spoonerisms) Slip of the Brain Slips of the Ear The condition when you are not able to remember the word that you are looking for. It seems you know the word but it does come to your mouth. Or When we produce near misses expressions. Example: That thing just hurled with a siren, like ambulance. Oh my god! I forgot what it is called. (Tip of Tongue) The police incarcerated the auspicious person. (Malapropism) This happens when you misplace a sound by other sound. Especially by the word that follows it. Example: You have hissed all my mystery lectures. This happens when you substitute the whole word by other. Example: A tup of tea. When we hear something that the speaker hasn’t told. Example: I heard ‘great ape’ when the speaker said ‘gray tape’

Speech Phenomena Quiz A. Tip of the tongue B. Slip of the Brain C. Spoonerism D. Slip of ear 1. She is suffering from recession! (I mean depression) 2. Man, what was that word you used to describe her as super conceited? 3. Woah… what did you just say? 4. We cannot continue this commendable, I mean, condemnable act of treason. B A D 4. C

Aphasia: Borca’s Aphasia Aphasia is an acquired communication/language disorder, usually caused by stroke, head injury, migraines, brain tumor or neurological conditions. Borca’s Aphasia (Motor Aphasia) Wernicke’s Aphasia (Sensory Aphasia/Anomia) Conduction Aphasia Agrammatic Speech as omits functional (articles and prepositions) and inflectional morphemes (plural and past tense) Slow distorted and effortful articulation especially of lexical morphemes (nouns, verbs, and adjectives) Understands everything being said. Can not understand what is being said. Can speak fluently but mostly uses simple word struggle to find exact word. Uses a lot of words to make people understand what they mean. Understand what is said. Try to repeat the word said to them. They are fluent but pause many times and repeat over and over again. Sometimes mispronounce a word. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oef68YabD0 (Wernicke’s Aphasia) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQEFs4nTIvY (Broca’s Aphasia)

APHASIA QUESTION! During a stroke, damage to the Broca’s area will cause the person to have difficulties: UNDERSTANDING speech or PRODUCING speech?

Left Hemisphere Dominance for Word Processing Dichotic listening test

LATERALIZED BRAIN (One Sidedness) A certain period of time in our life when human brain develops to its fullest to take language inputs and process them known as Critical Period. It is the prime time when child learns language effectively.

Critical Period Is there a critical period for learning language? “Genie” and other feral children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZolHCrC8E &feature=youtu.be (While watching this clip, what factors do you think contributed to Genie’s lack of development during her early years?)

Closing: Timed design! How can we describe the process of how one uses language to respond in a conversation? Create a diagram where you use the brain to show this process occurring.