Development of Language Language: refers to our spoken, written, or gestured words and how they are combined to communicate. Language: refers to our spoken, written, or gestured words and how they are combined to communicate.

Humans vs. Animals Most psychologists will say that only humans have the ability of language even though some animals (apes) can use sign language or respond to spoken commands. This is because animals cannot put symbols (letters and words) into grammatical sentences.

Language: Building Blocks 1. Phonemes: the smallest distinctive sound unit – ex. th How many phonemes are in the word: Cheat? 2. Morphemes: the smallest unit that carries meaning; may be a word or a part of a word (such as a prefix) How many Morphemes are in the word “previewed?” How many Morphemes are in the word “rabbits?”

Language: The Rules Grammar: a system of rules that enables us to communicate with and understand others. Includes semantics and syntax. Grammar: a system of rules that enables us to communicate with and understand others. Includes semantics and syntax. Semantics: the study of meaning; rules for how we get meaning from morphemes, words, and sentences in a given language. Semantics: the study of meaning; rules for how we get meaning from morphemes, words, and sentences in a given language. I love my wife. vs. I love this pizza. I love my wife. vs. I love this pizza. It’s raining cats and dogs. It’s raining cats and dogs. Syntax: the rules for combining words into grammatically sensible sentences in a given language. Syntax: the rules for combining words into grammatically sensible sentences in a given language. Billy (subject)  cooked (verb)  pasta (object). Billy (subject)  cooked (verb)  pasta (object).

Examples of Language Rules Semantic Examples: adding –ed to the end of a word does what? Semantic Examples: adding –ed to the end of a word does what? Adding –s to a noun does what? Adding –s to a noun does what? Syntax Examples: In English, adjectives come before nouns, but the opposite is true in Spanish. Syntax Examples: In English, adjectives come before nouns, but the opposite is true in Spanish. Pretty girl Pretty girl Chica bonita Chica bonita

Stages of Language 1. Babbling Stage: 1. Babbling Stage: beginning at 3 to 4 months beginning at 3 to 4 months the stage of speech development in which the infant spontaneously utters various sounds at first unrelated to the household language the stage of speech development in which the infant spontaneously utters various sounds at first unrelated to the household language 2. One word stage: 2. One word stage: from about age 1 to 2 from about age 1 to 2 the stage in speech development during which a child speaks mostly in single words the stage in speech development during which a child speaks mostly in single words

Stages of Language 3. Two-Word Stage 3. Two-Word Stage beginning about age 2 beginning about age 2 the stage in speech development during which a child speaks mostly two-word statements the stage in speech development during which a child speaks mostly two-word statements Telegraphic Speech early speech stage in which the child speaks like a telegram – “go car” – using mostly nouns and verbs and omitting “auxiliary” words Telegraphic Speech early speech stage in which the child speaks like a telegram – “go car” – using mostly nouns and verbs and omitting “auxiliary” words

Language Summary Summary of Language Development Month (approximate) Stage Babbles many speech sounds. Babbling reveals households language. One-word stage. Two-world, telegraphic speech. Language develops rapidly into Complete sentences.

Overregularization The tendency for a child who has memorized irregular verbs and nouns (and thus uses them correctly) to suddenly begin to use them incorrectly after he/she has learned proper grammar rules (actually a good thing – means they are learning more advanced grammar) Ex. At 3-years old: “I ran away.” At 5-years old: “I runned away.” Ex. At 3-years old: “I saw some geese!” At 5-years old: “I saw some gooses!”

Chomsky Believes Our Brains Are Hardwired With Inborn Universal Grammar. Language is Enabled by a: Language Acquisition Device: humans are born with innate abilities to acquire language. Chomsky believed that there is a critical period for learning language (before age 7). After that, it will be much more difficult for a child to learn a language

Theory 1: Skinner Believed We Learn Language Through Learning Techniques (Class. Cond., Op. Cond, Observation) (Nurture Argument) Tools for learning language according to Skinner: 1.Association: associate the sight of things with certain sound of words 2.Imitation: watch models speaking words and syntax and then we imitate them. 3.Reinforcement: given positive feedback and words of encouragement when we speak correctly.

Bilingualism – Learning More Than One Language Bilingualism is spreading in the U.S. It is common in many countries around the world, especially in Europe. Surveys indicate that two-thirds of the world’s children are raised as bilingual speakers; however, less than 7% of U.S. citizens are bilingual.

Bilingualism – Learning More Than One Language Learning more than one language helps children learn their first language better. The best time to learn a second language? – as early as possible. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to learn it and the better accent you will have.

Language Relativity and Doublespeak Double-Speak describes when language is used to disguise the actual meaning and possibly mislead people. Double-Speak describes when language is used to disguise the actual meaning and possibly mislead people. Examples: Examples: “Downsizing”=multiple firings of employees. “Downsizing”=multiple firings of employees. “Physical Persuasion”=torture “Physical Persuasion”=torture “Collateral Damage”=death of civilians “Collateral Damage”=death of civilians “Concentration Camp”=labor/death camp “Concentration Camp”=labor/death camp