Language development begins long before children speak their first words. This lesson distinguishes language from communication and introduces the basic features that make language a systematic, flexible way to share meaning.
Communication is the sharing of information between individuals. People communicate through language, but also through gestures, facial expressions, body movements, and sounds. Language is a communication system that uses words and rules to transmit information. It can be spoken, written, or signed.
All flashcards
What is language?
A communication system that uses words and systematic rules to transmit information. It may be spoken, written, or signed.
How do productive and receptive language differ?
Productive language is expressing or creating messages; receptive language is understanding messages from others.
What is infinite generativity?
The capacity to create an unlimited number of meaningful messages using a language’s words and rules.
What are phonemes and morphemes?
A phoneme is the smallest sound unit in a language. A morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit, such as a word, root, prefix, or suffix.
Why do contextual cues matter?
Tone, expression, movement, and situation help a listener determine what a child’s sound or word means.
Quiz questions
What distinguishes language from communication in general?Answer: Language is a rule-based word system; communication also includes nonverbal signals.
What does infinite generativity allow language users to do?Answer: Create novel meaningful messages from a finite vocabulary and rule system.
In the word *dogs*, what are *dog* and *-s*?Answer: Morphemes, because each contributes meaning.
Which claim is central to Chomsky’s nativist approach to language acquisition?Answer: Humans have an inborn capacity that helps them acquire language.
Which pairing correctly describes two brain regions associated with language?Answer: Broca’s area is associated with production; Wernicke’s area with comprehension.
Based on Lifespan Development by Diana Riser, Rose Spielman, David Biek (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.